TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Minister for Panchayati Raj Laxmikant Parsekar said that panchayats in Goa should utilize the Rs one crore grants allocated to each of them for constructing crematoriums which is an essential requirement.
“The money should not be used for any other purpose than for land acquisition and constructing a crematorium,” Parsekar said.
Parsekar agreed that with land prices soaring and people reluctant to donate lands, the panchayats have a duty to ensure that land is procured and developed for crematoria.
“This money that we are giving under the Golden Jubilee fund is not for beautification and gutters,” he reiterated.
The matter was raised by Congress MLA of Quepem Chandrakant Kavalekar who drew the attention of the Panchayati Raj minister to the growing social problem of lack of crematoria and lack of seriousness on the part of village panchayats in providing these facilities.
Parsekar said that the problem was not only in Kavalekar’s constituency but all over Goa. “Panchayats must take interest in this matter,” said Parsekar even though it is a delicate issue.
Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamladar also informed the minister that in the list furnished to the House wrong information had been provided and stated that in certain wards mentioned in his constituency therein no crematoria have been constructed even though the list shows their existence.
“It is only shown on paper but ground reality is that there are no crematoria and the ST community is facing several hardships on account of this,” he said.
Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane also urged the minister to look into the problem of land acquisition for crematoria in Sattari as large lands holdings were in forest areas and was making it difficult for the respective panchayat to acquire the same.
TRANSFERS: Parsekar was Wednesday also quizzed as to why the policy for transferring government employees after every three years was not being effected in so far as the panchayat department was concerned.
The BJP MLA from Tivim Kiran Kandolkar took strong objection to the posting of staff in BDO offices and panchayat department for more than 10 to 15 years.
Parsekar in his reply said that if he went into this issue he would have to execute en mass reshuffling which will affect the administrative set up . “If things are running smoothly why disturb it?” he asked.
He also said that wherever there were complaints against certain employees the requisite changes were made.
