MARGAO: Brushing aside fears of the panchayats not been able to approve the budgets for next financial year in view of the Model Code of Conduct, Director of Panchayats Gurudas Pilarnekar has already directed the Block Development Officers to commence work in this regard.
Panchayats were getting only around 15 days to get the budget approved by the gram sabhas as the Model Code of Conduct for the Assembly elections ends on March 11, 2017 and till date no relaxation has been announced by the Election Commission of India nor has anybody approached it for the same.
Pilarnekar pointed out that preparation of the budget does not amount to violation of the Code of Conduct and said that was the reason why he had asked the BDOs to commence the process.
There was a fear that no funds including salaries of the employees would be released to the panchayats if their budgets were not approved.
In fact, in view of the Code of Conduct being in force, panchayats are not even having their regular monthly meetings, as they cannot approve any construction plans to issue a construction licence as it would amount to violation.
“There can be no violation of any code as elections are already over in Goa,” said Pilarnekar justifying his instructions to the BDOs.
Replying to a question on why the incoming panchayat body should be saddled with a budget prepared by the outgoing one, he said the new body can always revise or amend the budget.
However, Deputy Director of Panchayats Sudhir Kerkar opined that the panchayats could always seek a vote on account as done by the State Assemblies.
