MAPUSA
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho announced on Thursday that the government will recruit new panchayat secretaries through the Staff Selection Commission.
He emphasized the importance of upgrading the panchayat secretary's role, given its critical function in the administrative and decision-making processes of panchayat bodies.
“A panchayat secretary is like a chief secretary as he not only runs the administrative affairs of the panchayat but most importantly guides the panchayat members in crucial matters. We need to upgrade the level of the secretary,” Godinho stated during the Question Hour.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas raised concerns about the salaries of panchayat secretaries being on par with gram sevaks.
He pointed out that the educational qualifications and responsibilities of a panchayat secretary are significantly higher than those of a gram sevak.
“If we need to stop corruption and ensure efficient working, employees should be paid adequate salaries commensurate with their qualifications and work,” Viegas argued.
In response, Godinho explained that both the gram sevak and panchayat secretary positions are part of a common feeder cadre for promotion to the next higher post, Extension Officer.
A common seniority list is maintained for both positions.
He noted that changes in the qualification and recruitment rules for these positions since 2003 have been minimal, primarily involving the removal of the requirement for successful completion of Pre-Employment Training under the government of Goa's Pre-Employment Training Scheme.
Godinho also addressed the issue of gram sevaks temporarily filling the role of panchayat secretary due to administrative exigencies such as retirements, deaths, or long leaves.
“The government is empowered to make such arrangements on a temporary basis whenever administrative exigencies arise so as not to hamper the smooth functioning of panchayats,” he said.
He further clarified that there has been no change in the promotional criteria for panchayat secretaries and gram sevaks since 2003.
