MARGAO: The Velim gram sabha on Sunday discussed the financial difficulties the panchayat is going through as the government has not been releasing funds due to the panchayat and also not helping the panchayat in any manner.

Sarpanch Savio D’Silva disclosed that though the panchayat was supposed to be paid Rs 45 lakh in lieu of Octroi from the petrol pumps that is directly collected by the government, not a single paisa has been paid till date for the current financial year.

“Last year, we had received Rs 45 lakh for Octroi and this year nothing is given to us due to which it is becoming very difficult to function,” D’Silva said.

Responding to people’s complaints about garbage collection, the sarpanch pointed out that they are not getting any help from the government and that of the Rs 1 lakh that was sanctioned for garbage management last year the panchayat received only Rs 40,000.

“Besides the Rs 60,000 due to us from last year for garbage management, we have not received any fund for the current year,” he said even as villagers argued that the government has promised every panchayat minimum Rs 3 lakh for garbage management.

The gram sabha asked the panchayat to write to the Director of Panchayats on these two issues and seek his response to their grievance.