BICHOLIM
Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday said the Centre has provided special assistance to rural panchayats by sanctioning additional funds through the 15th Finance Commission, to develop rural areas of the State.
“With this additional support, even low-income panchayat areas will be able to develop,” said Godinho.
He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the new Menkurem panchayat complex in Bicholim taluka, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.
Speaker Rajesh Patnekar, MLA Joshua D'Souza, former MLA Naresh Sawal, Deputy Collector Deepak Vaingankar and other officials were present on the occasion.
The panchayat complex comprises three shops, a special room for a self-help group, library, health centre, post office and washrooms on the ground floor.
The offices of the sarpanch, talathi and panchayat secretary, as well as the office and meeting room, will be on the first floor. The second floor has an auditorium with a sitting capacity for 200 persons and a gymnasium.
Speaker Rajesh Patnekar said the new Menkurem panchayat building is very spacious and would provide a boost to the village.
Menkurem Sarpanch Sanjana Naik said given the panchayat’s meagre revenue, funds should be made available to maintain the complex, while also providing additional funds to give impetus to development in the village.
