VASCO
Insisting that Zilla Panchayat (ZP) members have a major role to play in developing villages, Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho on Saturday said he would soon grant powers to ZPs to develop open spaces across the State.
Godinho was speaking to reporters during the distribution of e-Shram cards to workers of the unorganised sector in the Dabolim constituency in the presence of Sancoale ZP Anita Thorat and others.
"ZPs have an important role to play in taking development works even in a small state like Goa. The Zilla Panchayat body has been doing an excellent job in Goa, especially in Sancoale, represented by Anita Thorat, where a lot of equipment has been provided and open spaces have been developed and beautified.”
“Small and medium development works have been taken under ZPs and I want them to function much more efficiently. I will hand over to them the development of open spaces across Goa," said Godinho.
Godinho said e-Shram cards were important for workers in the unorganised sector to entitle them to government schemes and benefits.
"With e-Shram cards, these workers can avail of schemes like insurance and even get money directly into their accounts under various government schemes without a middle man," said Godinho.
Sancoale ZP Anita Thorat said the responsibility to make Central government schemes available to the unorganised workers in the State had been entrusted to ZP members.
"These workers don't have any unions nor does anyone want to take responsibility for them and hence, this government initiative of issuing e-Shram cards will be of great benefit to them,” said Thorat.
