PANAJI
Panchayat Minister Muavin Godinho on Tuesday told the State Legislative Assembly that the government will look into its financial situation before implementing 7th pay commission to the panchayat members.
Godinho, who is also Minister for Industries, said that the State will adopt a policy wherein projects approved through Investment Promotion Board will have to provide 60 per cent employment to the locals.
Speaking on Panchayat and Industries demand, Godinho said that with resumption of iron ore mining industry, State will have extra revenue and funds would be made available to panchayats for garbage management.
“As far as 7th pay commission implementation is concerned, we are willing to do it but looking at the financial condition we will take the decision,” he said.
The Minister also assured to streamline the Grant in Aid funds transferred to the panchayats in a time bound manner. He also said that a file has been moved to the government to enhance the pay scale of the panchayat secretaries from existing grade three to grade five.
Responding to the apprehensions of the MLAs that locals are not employed by the industries, Godinho said that as per the projected employment through the IPB approved projects it is around 45,000 of which 10,000 jobs are already created through 14 projects that are implemented.
“Of these 10,000, 45 per cent employed are Goans,” he said.
“IPB is granting approvals to only those proposals that will create employment to local youths. Our policy will be very clear that 60 per cent jobs have to be reserved for Goans and 40 per cent to outsiders, if needed,” he said.
The Minister also said that the State’s Logistic and Warehouse Policy will help Goans to get jobs in the logistic sector.
