PANJIM: Days after amending the Municipality Act through an ordinance thereby increasing the municipal ward strength, the State government has clarified that the delimitation is being undertaken to rationalise all the municipalities following demands from various councils.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Development Francis D’Souza also announced that 33 percent of the seats would be reserved for women along with reserving seats for Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Other Backward Communities (OBC).
D’Souza said that the delimitation and reservation process has been undertaken by Goa State Election Commission through mamlatdars following due procedures.
Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) had received representations from municipal councils of Margao, Ponda, Mormugao and Mapusa requesting rationalization of ward strength. “The councils had passed the resolution and the same was submitted to DMA for consideration,” he said.
D’Souza also said that proper delimitation will help in proper allocation of funds to the municipal bodies.
Eight out of 11 municipal councils – Margao, Cuncolim, Pernem, Canacona, Ponda, Bicholim, Sanguem and Mormugao – will have women as chairpersons, with DMA reserving these posts for women candidates.
The delimitation and reservation process is expected to be completed by July 31. The delimitation will add 22 wards in seven municipalities to the existing 137 wards.
