SHGs and ZP Bhavan top new North Goa ZP chief's priority list

North Goa ZP chairperson Reshma Bandodkar

PORVORIM
From empowering Self Help Groups (SHGs) to the setting up of a new Zilla Panchayat Bhavan, newly elected North Goa ZP Adyaksha (Chairperson) Reshma Bandodkar has listed out five priorities during her term.
“My first priority would be to empower SHGs in North Goa. There are thousands of SHGs in Goa which are engaged in preparing and producing several food products, hosiery items but some groups are not aware of government schemes available to them. Neither do they get a suitable platform to sell their products,” said Bandodkar.
“I would like to meet the SHGs, understand their problems and try to resolve them. Efforts will be made to provide them all the information about the government schemes.”
Bandodkar said her next priority is to set up a North Goa Zilla Panchayat Bhavan in North Goa.
“I will impress upon Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and authorities for the need of a separate North Goa Panchayat Bhavan in North Goa, preferably in Bardez,” said Bandodkar.
“In this Panchayat Bhavan, I would like to make space available for the SHGs to display and sell their products. In five years, I would like to ensure that this Panchayat Bhavan comes into existence.”
Bandodkar, who earlier served as sarpanch of Pilerne-Marra, said he third focus would be resolve the issue of garbage confronting many panchayats.
“There are many panchayats in the State which still do not segregate garbage. I will visit these panchayats and discuss with them the matter in detail. If required, I will also attend the Gram Sabhas of the panchayats and listen to their problems in connection with garbage in particular and try to resolve them,” said Bandodkar.
Bandodkar said she would also focus on resolving problems faced by farmers during the monsoon.
“Farmers who have suffered losses due to heavy rainfall and have not received subsidies from the government will receive a helping hand from me. I will try to solve their problems as much as possible,” said Bandodkar.
The North Goa ZP Adyaksha said her fifth priority would be to provide smart boards and musical instruments such as harmonium and tabla to schools which are unable to procure them due to financial constraints.