MARGAO
The first meeting of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat held on Wednesday saw newly-elected members rushing with development proposals, literally prompting Chairperson Suvarna Tendulkar to explain to them that the body is yet to receive development funds from the government.
However, that did not stop the members from submitting their development proposals for the consideration of the body, even as Chief Executive Officer, Sanjeev Gadkar, IAS, requested them to prioritize the works so that they can be implemented in phases.
The members also demanded to know whether any funds of the previous body are available for utilization. Members also demanded to know the fate of the development works being carried out at the fag end of the term of the outgoing body without receiving funds from the government.
Questions were also raised whether the ZP will scrap the works tendered by the previous body.
Chairperson Suvarna pointed out that the body would make a representation to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to approve the ongoing works being executed without actual receipt of the funds.
Members belonging to the ST community, including Cortalim member Antonio Vaz, requested that funds allotted for tribal welfare should be spent in constituencies that play host to ST communities. CEO Gadkar assured to obtain the criteria on the utilization of tribal welfare funds.
Velim ZP Member Julio Fernandes said his constituency plays host to a significant ST population, who are facing water and road issues.
Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim member Hanzel Fernandes set the ball rolling when he presented a long list of developmental proposals to the Chairperson.
Curtorim Congress member Michelle Rebello followed suit, with a host of queries, including the question why the ZP has put a Rs 50,000 cap on procurement of sports goods for the members. It was later unanimously decided to increase the funds for sports goods to Rs one lakh. She also highlighted the state of water pipelines and the bad condition of internal roads in Curtorim.
ZP CEO Gadkar requested the members to prioritize their works phase-wise, saying these will be taken up depending on the availability of funds.
Chairperson Tendulkar maintained that the ZP has still not received government funds, assuring that the proposals will be taken up after receipt of funds. She, however, later told the members that the ZP has received the first installment of funds under the 15th Finance Commission, even as the members thanked Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho for getting Finance Commission funds for the ZP bodies.
Ulhas Tuemkar thanked the Centre for sanctioning Rs 300 crore for Goa to commemorate the 60th Liberation anniversary and also patted the Panchayat Minister for getting Finance Commission funds for the Zilla Panchayats.
CEO Gadkar told the members that strict action will be initiated against the contractors for the delay in completing works. He also said that e-tendering ensures transparency in the execution of works.
