ARLEKAR'S BASKET OF GIFTS
Grants to all panchayats irrespective of earning
Meeting with north and south forest committees on private forests for proper demarcation of private forests
BSNL losses down from Rs 10 crore to Rs 5 crore in just two years
Computerised reservation counter at Canacona Railway station
LED electrification worth Rs 5.50 lakh for Loliem-Polem.
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Govt considering grants-in-aid to panchayats: Arlekar
Inaugurates anganwadi and stage in Loliem-Polem
THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
Panchayat Minister Rajendra Arlekar on Sunday said the government is making special consideration to provide grant-in-aids to all the panchayats in the State, irrespective of their earning.
He was speaking at the inauguration of a newly-constructed aganwadi building and stage for the people of Loliem-Polem on Sunday in the presence of MP (South) Narendra Savoikar, Sarpanch Bhushan Prabhugaonkar and others.
Speaking further, he said many rich panchayats including Loliem-Polem panchayat are not getting grants-in-aid from the government, thus hampering development of that village to some extent. “My government is of the opinion that all the panchayats should receive grants and we will do something about it,” he said.
Arlekar, who is also forest minister, speaking on private forest issue said he has called for a meeting of both the north (Thomas) and south (Arauzo) forest committees on private forests so that proper implementation of norms on declaration of private forests is carried out.
He said 40 percent canopy and 75 percent wild plants/trees in 5 hectares and above is not being followed properly while demarking land for private forests, demarking several smaller plots to invoke objections.
“Each of these committees is provided a DCF level officer to help in demarcation. Forest conservation is required, but it should be done with hand-in-hand between the government and people,” Arlekar observed.
The anganwadi is constructed at the cost of Rs 32 lakh and stage by renovating the existing panchayat hall by spending Rs 3.16 lakh under MPLAD Funds.
Savoikar spoke about lessening the losses of BSNL from Rs 10 crore to Rs 5 crore in just two years of BJP governance.
“BSNL provides the best of services as far as connecting calls and other related services are concerned. It's our duty and responsibility to avail BSNL services and help it to improve its marketing value. We are shortly opening a computerized reservation counter at Canacona Railway station,” he said.
Savoikar said Loliem-Polem village will receive LED electrification worth Rs 5.50 lakh. “Only roads, electrification and water is not enough, but improvement in human resources is also essential.”
Loliem-Polem Panchayat felicitated 71 former panchas which also includes sarpanchs and panchas of Loliem-Polem village since 1963 at the hands of Arlekar, Savoikar and Ramesh Tawadkar.
School children from the village schools were provided with school uniforms, scholarships, besides St Sebastian High School was felicitated for consequently getting 100 percent SSC results.
ZP Poinguinim Dr Pushpa Aiya, all the panchas including Deputy Sarpanch Ashutosh Naik were present, while Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, whose name figured in invitation card, was conspicuous by his absence.
Sarpanch Bhushan Prabhugaonkar welcomed, Anant Agni compered the function, while Panch Vinda Satarkar proposed the vote of thanks.
