MARGAO
The South Goa Zilla Panchayat on Wednesday resolved to ask the government to allot funds to the district Panchayat for taking up the garbage works in their Zilla Panchayat constituencies on the lines of the Panchayat bodies.
With the South Goa Zilla panchayat receiving Rs eight crore development grant from the government, the Zilla Panchayat has decided to spend the funds equally in all the 25 constituencies. The South ZP has already received a grant of Rs 2.40 crore from the 15th Finance Commission.
The meeting chaired by Chairperson Suvarna Tedulkar discussed the issue relating to garbage works by the Zilla panchayat body on the lines of the Panchayat body. The Chairperson said the meeting adopted a resolution requesting the government to allot funds to the Zilla Panchayat to take up garbage related works in the constituencies.
Benaulim Aam Admi Party member Hanzel Fernandes raised the question of the sorry state of affairs of the River Sal, the lifeline of Salcete. He pointed out that the government is spending crores of rupees on the desilting of the river Sal, but lamented that dumping of garbage and discharge of sewage has not stopped till date. He said the money spent on desilting of the river will not serve any purpose if garbage and sewage continues to find its way in the river.
In this respect, a resolution was adopted to request the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to intervene and find out the state of affairs of the river, more so with the government undertake the desilting work.
Hanzel also raised the issue of the controversial western bypass, demanding that the government built the bypass between Seraulim and Benaulim on stilts to save destruction of low lying fields and ecology.
Curtorim ZP member Michelle Rebello complimented PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar for approving the proposal to get the old water lines in Curtorim replaced. She also drew attention of the PWD Minister to the danger posed to motorists and pedestrians for want of an effective railing around the Curtorim lake.
Members led by Sancoale ZP Member Anita Thorat complimented the government for approving what they termed as a people friendly budget, saying the government has taken into account the needs of all section of the society.
Davorlim ZP member Ulhas Tuemkar tabled a resolution requesting the government to fully utilize the office of Social welfare department and Women and Child department located in Margao for the benefit of the beneficiaries. He pointed out that though the sub-offices of these two departments are located in Margao, people are forced to go to Panjim for official work.
Newly-elected Navelim ZIlla panchayat member Cipru Cardozo was also present. The meeting congratulated the ZP CEO S Gadkar for his promotion to the IAS cadre.
