Team Herald
PANJIM: Speaking at the launch of the “Swayampurna Goa” initiative to municipal areas on Monday, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant claimed that the same concept that had been initiated for the panchayat areas last October had seen a great response in 95 per cent of the villages in the State.
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Expressing confidence that the municipalities too will respond in a similar manner, Sawant announced that Rs one crore grant would be provided to the municipalities and that the government has started to deposit funds, received under 15th Finance Commission in the accounts of the civic bodies.
The scheme was extended across all 13 municipalities, namely Mormugao, Margao, Mapusa, Bicholim, Cuncolim, Curchorem, Quepem, Canacona, Sanguem, Pernem, Valpoi, Sanquelim, Ponda and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP).
“Housing for all, sanitation for all, water and electricity for all, etc are some of the goals that need to be achieved. Every municipality will have to submit a monthly report on the progress of the ‘Swayampurna Goa’. Each municipality will have to submit proposals, providing facilities like a market, bus stand, community hall, etc,” said Sawant.
In his address to the Chief Officers (COs) and staff of all the municipalities via video conferencing, the Chief Minister alongside Urban Development Minister Milind Naik said the initiative aims at making the city and towns self-sufficient to meet the day-to-day needs.
He also appealed to COs to identify unused government buildings or land, available in their jurisdiction, which can be used for providing facilities.
Announcing that each municipality will have a Swayampurna Mitra, Sawant urged the COs and the to-be-elected municipal councillors, to get themselves involved and provide cooperation with dedication and identify the deficiencies in their wards.
“Efforts should be to have 100 per cent implementation of all State and Central schemes,” said Sawant, while also highlighting the work, the BJP government has done in its last term and this present term.
He also announced that the government will honour the best three municipalities, Swayampurna Mitra and COs based on their performance.
Pointing out that initiative is in sync with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ programme, he said the government intends to make Goa ‘Swayampurna’ by December 19, 2021 — the 60th year of Goa’s Liberation.
He also spoke about how Goa is trying to become self-dependent given that presently, as was seen during the lockdown period, Goa depends heavily on other States for essential commodities.
