MARGAO
Asserting that the Panchayat Administrators will be in place only for a short tenure to ensure smooth functioning of the Panchayat bodies, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho has said the Administrators will be supervised by the Block Development Officers.
Saying he too will maintain overall monitoring of the situation, the Panchayat Minister said complaints, if any, against the Administrators, will be acted upon immediately.
“If there are any shortcomings, we will act immediately for smooth functioning of the panchayat bodies. This arrangement is put in place just for a period of 3-4 months and not a permanent one”, he said, on the side-lines of the Goa Revolution Day programme at the Lohia Maidan, Margao on Saturday.
Responding to questions from scribes whether the Administrators, some of whom are head clerks, and Junior Engineers of Power and WRD department have been trained to discharge the duties of the elected Panchayat body, Godinho said the Administrators will be executing the additional duties in addition to their normal duties.
He, however, said the Administrators will be told to devote more time in a Panchayat body if the situation warrants. But, people who have official work can meet the BDOs and get the grievances resolved.
“Besides, aggrieved citizens can call on the taluka BDOs if they have any issues”, he said, adding that he wants to put a system in place in the best interest of the people.
Reminding that the Administrators will be in place for just six months till the people elect new representatives, Godinho said he would try to complete the process within four months. “The Supreme Court Judgement speaks about appointment of Administrators and the Court in the same Judgement says the Panchayats should not be under the Administrators not more than six months. Before six months, we will have to see the OBC reservation”, he said.
He added: “There would have been a hue and cry in the State and people would have been unhappy if the government had to explore the alternative suggested by the Supreme Court in the Judgement. We will implement the SC verdict in letter and spirit and will do the follow up to complete the process”.
