MARGAO: Block Development Officer Amitesh Shirvoikar’s assertion that no expenses would be permitted from April 1, 2019 in panchayats that have not approved their budget has put most of the panchayats in Salcete in a quandary with Carmona Sarpanch Allwyn Jorge seeking a clarification from the Director of Panchayats.
Of the 30 panchayats in Salcete, only 10 have got their budgets approved at the gram sabha and Nuvem is the only panchayat to have sent the approved budget copy to the BDO.
Chinchinim Deussua panchayat was to approve the budget at the gram sabha on March 3; however, the listed agenda was not taken up as the secretary was on leave.
Amitesh however saw no harm in the panchayats conducting gram sabhas during the code of conduct and even approving the budgets. When pointed out that budget could be used to entice voters by deducting taxes or giving some other incentives, he said the budget should not have any change in the taxation structure.
Significantly, the Director of Panchayats vide a memorandum dated March 14, 2019 had directed BDOs to ensure that the code of conduct is strictly enforced and specification mentioned that the sarpanchas and secretaries be “directed not to take any policy decision”.
Allwyn Jorge while pointing out that his panchayat has not got the budget approved by the gram sabha has sought the Panchayat Director’s special permission to get the budget approved during the code of conduct.
