Panaji: In a major announcement that would give a major boost to functioning of local bodies, the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant today announced to spend Rs 100 crore on the development in panchayats and municipalities. The Rs 100 crore will be spent from the Rs 300 crore sanctioned by the Union Government towards 60th Goa Liberation.
Sawant was speaking during online interaction with Swayampurna Mitra, Sarpanch and panch members to review the progress of Swayampurna Goem programme.
He said that the Swayampurna Goem’ initiative would be launched across municipal areas from the coming next week. The programme, was launched in 191 village panchayats from October 2, 2020.
The Chief Minister urged that all the panchayats will have to submit the report on ten-point programme to accomplish the objective Swayampurna Goa and the proposals with Special projects, for which grants upto Rs 50 lakhs would be given, by February 28.
The Chief Minister said that the key points like toilet for all, electricity for all, water supply for all and housing for all are must and need to be dealt with priority without which the goal of Swayampurnaa Goa cannot be achieved and the report in this regard has to be submitted by February 28, failing which the local body will not be eligible for Rs 50 lakh grants.
Sawant lamented that while the majority of village panchayats have submitted reports, only few are lagging behind. “Almost 156 panchayats have submitted reports, but some elected members are not cooperating. Majority of reports from panchayats in Sanguem taluka are yet to come,” he stated.
He also said that Swyampurna Mitra officials have complained that some panchayats were not cooperating during visits to panchayat offices. “I appeal to sarpanchas and panchayats members to cooperate and help the government in furthering people-centric initiatives,” he said.
He said that the slum areas are to be provided care under the objective of housing for all. He also suggested that the central schemes or state schemes reach the genuine needy people. The Government has set the target and we have to march in the direction and achieve the target b y December 2021.
Further, Sawant said that all structures and sites linked to the freedom struggle of Goa, including some forts and homes of stalwart freedom fighters, would be renovated and restored as part of the Liberation Day, December 19.
