MARGAO
Agitated members of the South Goa Zilla panchayat on Wednesday questioned the chair over the fate of the promises made by Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar to sanction development funds for the district panchayat body.
The members also made a forceful plea to Chairperson Navnath Naik and the Chief Executive Officer, Krishna Signapurkar to float developmental tenders at the earliest, saying that the elected representatives are questioned by the people back home over absence of development in the constituencies.
The meeting chaired by Navnath Naik generated much heat over the development funds promised by the Chief Minster. They drew attention of the Chairperson that three months have elapsed since the Chief Minister had promised to devolve funds for the district panchayat body, but in vain.
Chairperson Navnath tried to allay apprehensions of the members, saying that the zilla panchayat would receive the promised funds. "I met the Chief Minister recently and I have been promised that the promised funds would come to the ZP soon," Navnath reassured.
Members drew attention of the Chairperson to the failure of the civic body to tender development works over close to a year now. They pointed out that people in their constituencies question them whether they are only interested in undertaking study tours and have no plan to usher in the development of their constituencies.
Naik pointed out that the tendering process had come to a stand still following the election code of conduct, right on the eve of the Assembly election till the bye-poll for the Panjim and Valpoi Assembly constituencies. He assured the members that the administration would soon float the tenders for the development works. Zilla member Nelly Rodrigues drew attention of the Chair to the proposed hike in driving license fees, while calling for a roll back.
Members also discussed the issue of the new premises with some of the members favouring space at the Matanhy Saldanha Administrative complex.
