Team Herald
PANJIM: The cabinet on Friday approved amendments to the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968 that seek delimitation of municipal wards ahead of elections to 11 municipal councils on October 25.
The municipal administration had proposed delimitation as well as an increase in the number of wards in the councils under Sub-section 9(2) (a) of the Act. As per the amendment, the wards of ‘A’ class councils will be increased from 20 to 25, while for ‘B’ class the wards will increase to 20 from the existing 15. The two categories have been created based on the population in each ward.
“As per census 2001 and 2011, there has been an increase in population of ‘A’ class municipal councils and ‘B’ class municipal councils. However, the wards of these councils were not increased. Therefore, the bill seeks to amend the act to have a better control and effective development of the wards…” the cabinet resolved. “The bill also seeks to replace the Goa Municipalities (amendment) Ordinance, 2015 promulgated by the Goa government.”
The approval comes ahead of elections to 11 municipal councils – Margao, Mormugao, Mapusa, Bicholim, Quepem, Curchorem-Cacora, Canacona, Cuncolim, Pernem, Sanguem and Valpoi on October 25. The term of these councils will come to an end on November 11.
“In some wards of the municipality, the population is too high whereas in some others, the population is far less, to eliminate this vast difference of the population, delimitation is required,” the cabinet observed.
The Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Bill 2015 will be tabled during the monsoon session of the Goa legislative assembly, slated to begin on July 27.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) report was placed during the cabinet meeting and will be tabled on the floor of the house. The sealed copy, sources said, will be forwarded to Governor Mridula Sinha before being placed in the assembly.
In another decision, the cabinet approved the annual report 2014 of the Goa State Information Commission, which will also be tabled during the ensuing assembly session.
