PANJIM: NGO GOACAN has urged the panchayats to increase people’s participation in a bid to tackle and curb various civic issues prevalent across several villages. In a letter to the Director of Panchayats, the NGO opined that people’s participation will help bring out long-term solutions to the challenges.
“When the village panchayats are faced with many issues and challenges related to shortage of drinking water, vector-borne diseases, child abuse, fatal road accidents and poor sanitation among others, it is crucial to increase the participation of people in adopting preventive measures and implementing long-term solutions,” GOACAN co-ordinator Roland Martins said.
The letter was submitted to Panchayats Director Gopal Parsekar on the occasion of International Day of Democracy observed on September 15 with the theme ‘Participation.’
GOACAN highlighted the need for training and capacity building programmes for the members of various committees set up in the village panchayats while pointing out that these programmes will not only motivate the respective members but also increase their participation in various activities.
“While these programmes will provide a boost to the activities of the Village Development Committee (VDC) which is tasked to prepare the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) for 2019-20, it will also improve the participation and discussions at the regular meetings of the gram sabhas being held in January, April, July and October in the respective panchayats,” the letter, copy of adds.
