OLD GOA
With several panchayats struggling to set up the Material Recoverty Facility (MRF) within their jurisdiction, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced that Rs 83.33 crore is allocated for Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen which will allow construction of MRF.
Further, Rs 8.50 crore will be provided under the sanitation mission for providing individual household as well as community bio-digester toilets at subsidised rates.
Also, Rs 13.15 crore has been reserved to support the financially weak panchayats.
To improve rural infrastructure, Rs 17.49 crore has been allocated for road construction, paved paths, community hall, etc.
Besides, Rs 7.50 crore financial provision has been made under the Deendayal Infrastructure Development Scheme for works like panchayat house, community hall for panchayat, panchayat sports ground, panchayat complex, market, etc.
Sawant has also proposed that the government will encourage paperless functioning in the panchayats by making available online mode of paying house tax, trade tax, availing water and electricity NOC, income certificate, residence certificate, trade license, signboard licence, birth and death certificates.
Further, Sawant informed that the State Finance Commission has submitted its recommendations to the government, based on which the government will fix the quantum and methodology of grants to the local institutions this financial year.
“Until that decision is made, my government will continue to provide financial support to local bodies,” Sawant stated.
For the Zilla Panchayats, a fund of Rs 16 crore has been provided for the financial year with an assurance of increase in the honorarium of ZP members.
