the goan I network
MARGAO
With just nine months to go for the curtains to come down on the current five-year term and development funds not forthcoming from the government, agitated South Goa Zilla Panchayat members have resolved to call on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with a plea to release the funds at the earliest.
The issue of Goa Miles taxi app also had an echo at the meeting when member Nelly Rodrigues demanded that the government should not give parking stands for taxis under Goa Miles along the coastal belt.
At a meeting chaired by ZP Chairperson Navnath Naik, members expressed their resentment over the government’s delay in disbursing the promised development funds for the district panchayat body. Members pointed out that they have just nine months at their disposal to execute the development works, adding that these would not see light of the day if the funds are released at the fag end of the term.
Chairperson Navnath explained to the members that he has already discussed the situation with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
He said the CM has sought a week’s time to put ZP affairs in proper perspective. He assured the members that he would seek appointment with the Chief Minister sometime after
a week.
He later told the media that though the government had promised Rs 13.5 crore for the South ZP for the current financial year, funds to the tune of Rs five crore are yet to be received.
Meanwhile, ZP members expressed their resentment over the delay in issuing work orders by the office to the contractors. They claimed that there’s also a delay by the office in releasing security deposits of contractors. Members also demanded that the ZP office lodge a complaint to find a missing file from the office.
The Goa Miles taxi issue also figured at the meeting when ZP member Nelly Rodrigues demanded that these taxis should not be given a stand along the coastal belt. Chairperson Navnath, however, pointed out that any taxi service which is beneficial to the people and the tourist alike should be welcome. While saying that local taxi operators should also join the app, Navnath said the government should amicably resolve the issue.
Water scarcity at Shiroda was raised by member Jaideep Shirodkar, while the ZP adopted a resolution requesting the Town and Country Planning department to repair the crumbling market at Usgao.
The ZP also adopted a resolution demanding that the government intervene in the Sanjivani sugar factory in the interest of the farmers.
The formalin in fish issue also figured at the meeting with members seeking to know whether fish sold in the market is safe for consumption following an appeal made by MLA Churchill Alemao.
