OLD GOA
The 14th finance commission funds are usually utilised to undertake development works in the villages, but the Goa Velha panchayat thought different and instead, decided to spend some funds on community development.
And on Saturday, the panchayat organised a function to allot musical instruments, sports equipment, computers, printers, water purifiers and other items which would come in handy for educational and religious institutes to enhance talent in the village.
The Goan has learnt that the entire cost for the exercise is estimated to be around Rs 24 lakh and it also includes the equipment to the gymnasium which was also thrown open on the occasion.
Speaking at the function, Goa Velha Sarpanch Divina Dias said the funds are normally used for development activities like construction of drains, roads, etc.
“However, we decided to take a different approach and spend some fund which would benefit the community in developing local talent,” Dias stated.
Deputy Sarpanch Inou D’Souza said they decided to take a holistic approach for development of individuals and with the help of village development committee, decided to spend the 14th finance commission funds for the same.
St Andre MLA Francisco Silveira who was the chief guest for the function lauded the efforts of the panchayat authorities in thinking different.
All educational institutes in Goa Velha will get computers, printers, keyboards and water purifiers, while the balwadis will be given black boards, water filters, group activity games, etc.
The temples will be provided with tabla, sangath and chairs while the St Andrew’s Church will get a keyboard, guitar, water purifier and chairs. All the chapels in Goa Velha were allotted chairs and dustbins, while all households will be given dustbins.
The committees of the respective religious and educational institutes were given letters of the items allotted to them, which should be collected from the panchayat.
