the goan I network
PANAJI
Speaking to The Goan, Panchayat Minister Rajendra Arlekar stated: “The department is presently thinking on these lines. Previously, the criterion was sale of fuel in the area demarcated to each Panchayat. This was changed and allocations were made ward-wise. We are now trying to revert to earlier criterion.”
Sources from the Department of Panchayats disclosed that on October 10, a file proposing an amount of Rs 14 crore for 190 panchayats and Rs eight crore for the two zilla panchayats was moved to the finance department for approval.
While the reversal of criterion could benefit several panchayats, the panchayats in mining corridor of the State have expressed worry as the sale of fuel in their area has taken a hit since the imposition of a blaket ban on mining. The financial situation has yet to return to normalcy in these panchayats and grants in lieu of octroi contribute considerably to their accounts.
It may be recalled that the State government had released Rs 12.10 crore in October 2015 as grants in lieu of octroi on fuel to only 60 panchayats for the financial year 2014-15.
Octroi grants, which forms a major source of revenue for many panchayats, were released in financial year 2012-13 but for undisclosed reasons had been withheld in 2013-14.
Since he took over the department last year, the Panchayat Minister Rajendra Arlekar has pushed to ensure clarity on the criteria for releasing octroi.
