the goan I network
MAPUSA
Stating that his circulars which were later withdrawn had its impact, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho yesterday said the government has plans to amend the Goa Panchayat Raj Act to streamline garbage management in villages. He also said the department in future will have its own technical cell to oversee constructions in panchayat areas.
“The panchayat bodies misunderstood the significance of the circulars and were under the impression that government was encroaching in their space. Although withdrawn, the circulars have passed a strong message on management of garbage in villages,” said Godinho, maintaining that the government has powers to issue such circulars.
The panchayat minister was responding to Marcaim MLA Sudhin Dhavlikar, who said under the Panchayat Raj Act, the government had no power to issue such circulars.
The panchayat department had issued two back-to-back circulars to all panchayats stating that projects having more than four dwellings will have to approach the directorate of panchayat.
Opposition parties in the State had criticised the circular and demanded its withdrawal. The Marcaim MLA said government has no right to issue circulars to panchayats which are autonomous bodies.
“The government has lost it face due to the panchayat minister’s action,” Dhavlikar said, taking a dig at Godinho.
Making a case for issuance of the circulars, the panchayats minister said when there were orders from NGT and High Courts, the government was authorised to issue the circulars.
“If the government fails to act, the courts take us to task and issue fines. I am pained to see the functioning of some of the panchayats. But with those circulars, the panchayats have become more alert and a strong message has gone on garbage management,” he said.
Godinho also said the government will set up its own technical cell to supervise the construction activity in the State.
“I have issued a fresh circular to panchayat secretaries stating if they don’t obey the orders of director, additional director or deputy director on illegal constructions, then action will be taken against them,” he said.
Earlier, Rohan Khaunte also slammed the panchayat minister for failing to be proactive in important matters but resorting to cheap tricks of issuing circulars.
“Every minister is trying to be the chief minister of his department,” Khaunte taunted the panchayat minister.
