MAPUSA
In a significant push to accelerate rural infrastructure development, the State government amended its flagship Deendayal Panchayat Raj Infrastructure Development (Golden Jubilee) Scheme raising the maximum project grant from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore.
The amendment, notified in the Official Gazette, is aimed at enabling village panchayats to take up larger infrastructure projects and accelerate development in rural areas.
Apart from increasing the ceiling to Rs 5 crore, the government has also removed both provisos under clause 17 of the scheme, which earlier placed conditions on the utilisation of grants.
Launched in 2013 to mark 50 years of Panchayati Raj institutions in the State, the Deendayal scheme is one of the key State-funded initiatives to improve basic amenities and infrastructure in Goa’s villages.
It provides financial assistance for projects such as Panchayat Ghars, community halls, market complexes, multipurpose buildings and other civic infrastructure.
The scheme was revalidated in October 2022 for a five-year period up to March 2027.
Officials said the decision to enhance the funding cap reflects growing demand from local bodies for larger and more complex projects that often exceed the earlier limit.
The removal of the provisos is also expected to simplify procedures and speed up approvals.
The Directorate of Panchayats, along with technical agencies, will continue to scrutinise project proposals before sanction, while a committee headed by the Panchayat Minister oversees implementation.
Experts believe the revision will allow panchayats to take on ambitious infrastructure works that serve multiple villages and improve quality of life.
However, they also caution that stronger monitoring and transparency measures will be needed to prevent cost overruns and ensure proper utilisation of funds.
The scheme has already supported dozens of projects across Goa, including a Rs 3.63-crore panchayat building at Guirdolim.
With the enhanced limit, more such initiatives are expected to take shape in the coming years.
