PANAJI
The State government on Monday informed the House that it is contemplating the introduction of a facial recognition-based attendance app across all its departments. For now, starting August 1, the project will be implemented in all offices of the Directorate of Panchayats.
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said that several State governments have adopted facial recognition-based attendance of its staffers across departments. “In Goa, in the first phase we are starting with the panchayat department and subsequently will be mandatory across all departments,” he said.
Godinho said that the system will improve accountability.
He was replying during the discussion on Demand for Grants on Panchayat, wherein Congress MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira raised concern over adoption of Niyamith Goa app for attendance and tracking purpose.
Speaking further, Ferreira demanded to grant more powers to the gram sabhas to decide on mega projects within its jurisdiction. “We need to strengthen the panchayats to allow the gram sabhas to take decisions in the interest of the village and consider the viability of the area to decide on mega projects or big housing projects,” he said.
The Congress MLA also demanded action against the Board of Directors of Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and its officials for irregularities of over Rs 3 crore in organising the Invest Goa 2024 event as observed by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
He pointed out that as per CAG, IDC awarded the event to an ineligible bidder, resulting in the loss of GST input credit of Rs 45 lakh.
The CAG said that the GIDC decided on Jan 14, 2024, to organise the one-day Invest Goa 2024 event in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Investment Promotion Board at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore with post facto approved on Jan 20, 2024, by the board, Ferreira said.
He said that event involved hosting 400-500 delegates to showcase Goa as an investment destination and to attract investments, create jobs, and spur economic development in the State.
