One secretary to be deputed for every panchayat by year-end: Mauvin

Minister moots common cadre for p’yat workers, more funds for zillasrrthe goan I network rMARGAOrrThe Panchayat Minister promised more funds for Zilla Panchayats, even as he disclosed that the government is seized with the issue of devolving powers and schemes to the Zilla Panchayats without changing the delicate balance of power between Zillas and panchayat bodies. He also promised to visit each and every panchayat to ascertain the ground realities at the panchayat bodies, pointing out that some of the panchayat bodies are functioning from congested premises. rAddressing a programme organised by the South Goa Zilla Panchayat coinciding with launch of Swaach Bharat project at Ravindra bhavan here on Wednesday, Mauvin said he is working on a fast track mode on the issue of deputing a full-time secretary for every panchayat. r“The panchayat secretaries are essential employees. There ought to be 10 per cent buffer provision vis-à-vis such employees, but the ground reality is that there is a shortage of such employees by 10 per cent,” he said. rSaying that he is examining the issue of introducing a common cadre for panchayat staff and workers to facilitate better functioning at the panchayat bodies, Mauvin said, “Panchayat employees, including clerks and peons, are deputed at one place for 20-30 years. And, they dictate terms to the sarpanch and elected members. With a common cadre, we will be able to transfer them to other panchayats. I don’t think there will be political interference at the grassroot level because only those who hamper with the functioning of the panchayats will be transferred. The common cadre proposal has also found favour with the Panchayat Union led by Christopher Fonseca,” Mauvin added. rWhile promising to raise the fund allocation for Zilla Panchayats, the Panchayats Minister said he would discuss with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar a proposal to set aside certain schemes for the Zilla Panchayats and panchayats for implementation. r“We will allocate the ZP additional funds and issue directions on how to spend the funds,” Mauvin said, adding that the government would work out a system wherein funds are given to the ZPs without disturbing the existing set up. rAsked to comment on the proposed amendment to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, Mauvin said the proposed amendments will streamline the functioning of panchayats, assigning works to the BDO and the secretaries and to implement the schemes. rHe replied in the negative when asked whether there’s any plan to hold direct election for the post of sarpanch on the lines of the decision taken by neighbouring Maharashtra, saying “all that happens in Maharashtra may not be good for us in Goa”. rEarlier, the Panchayat Minister felicitated former ZP members, Clafacio Dias and Wilfred D’Sa, who have been elected to the Legislative Assembly from Cuncolim and Nuvem respectively.