The South Goa Zilla Panchayat (SGZP) on Wednesday reviewed sev eral long-pending devel opment and infrastructure works approved during the previous term, with mem bers demanding action against contractors who failed to execute projects despite securing contracts. Chairperson Sidharth Gauns Dessai, who chaired the ordinary council meet ing at the SGZP office in Margao, said notices had al ready been issued to some contractors while further action was underway.
He said newly elected members had earlier been briefed on incomplete works from the previous term and had since in spected projects in their constituencies, raising con cerns over delays. Members pointed out that several works were either never started or abandoned mid way and demanded black listing of defaulting con tractors. Dessai said contracts could be cancelled if works were not completed, after which fresh tenders would be floated to revive stalled projects. During the meeting, member Mohan Gaonkar raised the issue of un utilised balances in SG ZP-funded works and sug gested that savings from completed projects be diverted to other develop mental works. Members also renewed demands for enhanced powers for SGZP repre sentatives, saying greater administrative authority would help them coordinate more effectively with de partments such as the Rural Development Agency and Agriculture Department.
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The meeting discussed difficulties faced by mem bers while dealing with government departments, with some complaining that representations sub mitted on SGZP letterheads were not accepted or prior itised. Members demanded official recognition for cor respondence from elected SGZP representatives. Another proposal sought funeral assistance for eco nomically weaker families from all communities, simi lar to the existing Rs 20,000 aid provided to Scheduled Tribe families. Dessai said the proposal would be for warded to the Social Wel fare Department. Members also sought reserved parking facilities for SGZP representatives at major government offices, citing inconvenience during official visits.
Dessai said the matter would be taken up with the authorities. The meeting also con gratulated office-bearers appointed to the Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan, in cluding Dr Gauri Shirodkar as state president, Poonam Samant as secretary, Aditi Gaude as assistant treas urer and Rajshree Gaonkar as South Goa district pres ident, along with Anjali Velip and Malifa Cardozo, who were also appointed as office-bearers.
