PORVORIM: Chicalim village is soon to get a state-of-the-art garbage treatment plant, which will generate electricity from wet garbage. “This model can be replicated by other panchayats also,” said Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho, while adding that the facility will come up on 4,500 sq mtrs of Chicalim Communidade. “The project is in advanced stage of tendering. The file has gone to the CM. This project, through Goa State Waste Management Corporation, will be a reality within three months,” he said. Godinho added that the Airport Authority of India has granted Rs 10 crore funds through CSR to Chicalim panchayat for garbage treatment initiatives. On the issue of tackling garbage menace, he said panchayats are adequately funded to tackle garbage problem. “Rs 9 lakh fund is allocated to panchayats near the airport while Rs 7 lakh is allocated to those having major feasts within their jurisdiction and Rs 5 lakh are allotted to all other panchayats across Goa for handling their garbage,” he added. During his speech on the panchayats and handling of garbage issues, he stated that the infrastructure fund for panchayats would be raised to Rs 3.5 crore. He said funds allocation for improving their infrastructure will be under the Deendayal Panchayat infrastructure development scheme of which Rs 40 lakh will be deposited in the Fixed Deposit, interest of which will be earmarked for maintenance. “The matter will be put up before the next cabinet meet,” he added, while assuring that within next 2.5 years all 191 Panchayats will be covered under the scheme. As of now 25 panchayats have availed the scheme while permissions have been granted to 26 more panchayats.
Panchayat dept will also be shifted to Mileshigh building, as the new space will provide better working atmosphere. With regards to the disaster management scheme, which involves various govt agencies, he said he will re-examine the matter regarding increasing the role of the panchayats.
