the goan I network
MARGAO
With five months to go for the ensuing Zilla Panchayats elections, anxious South Goa ZP members will be knocking on the doors of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant seeking release of funds on top priority to take up development projects in their respective constituencies before they face the electorate again in early 2020 after a five-year term.
Leaving behind their differences and political affiliations, ZP members were united on the issue of the delay by the government in sanctioning funds for the current financial year. As such, they have decided to go in a delegation to meet the Chief Minister with a plea to sanction the ear-marked funds and allow the Zilla Panchayat to float the tenders and issue work orders before the devolution of the actual funds with the ZP.
Four-time Colva ZP member and former chairperson Nelly Rodrigues set the ball rolling when she drew the attention of her colleagues to the fact that hardly five months remain for the current term to end in January. She pointed out that the government should devolve the funds to the district panchayat body so that they can complete the formalities and execute the work before the election code of conduct comes into force.
Nelly pointed out that each of the 15 ZP members have so far received funds to the tune of Rs 17 lakh, which is hardly adequate to take up projects in the 4-5 village panchayats in their respective constituencies. She made a fervent plea to the government to release the ZP funds as per the provision made in the budget for the current financial year.
Nelly’s demand to the government evoked immediate response from her colleagues, who promised to join the delegation to the Chief Minister on Wednesday evening seeking release of grants before the completion of the term.
They pointed out that the government’s policy of releasing the grants in installments will not help the ZP saying their tenure will end before they receive the entire sum. “What is the use of the funds if the ZP receives the grants after the election in 2020?” the members questioned.
ZP members also demanded that the government release the Octroi due to the ZPs on utmost priority, with members saying the government can settle the Octroi of the panchayat bodies at a later date. The members also resolved that the panchayat should take up works up to Rs two lakhs on quotations given the urgency of completing the works before the election.
The issue whether ZP members can attend gram sabha meetings of panchayats in their jurisdiction also figured at the meeting when Curtorim ZP member Moreno Rebello drew attention to the gram sabha proceedings of Sao Jose de Areal and how certain members described him as an outsider despite being invited by the Sarpanch to answer questions on development works.
ZP chairperson Navnath Naik later said the delegation would take up the issue with the CM, asking him to empower ZP members to not only attend gram sabha meetings but also participate in the deliberations.
Rebello complimented Sawant for his recent statement promising a solution to the Sonsodo imbroglio. He also moved a resolution condoling the death of former St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes, who hailed from Curtorim.
