VASCO: Promising complete revamp in the functioning of Panchayat bodies in the days to come, the Minister for Panchayat and Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho said the state government has decided and has clear intentions to take the Panchayat right to the doorsteps of the people. He was speaking to reporters after meeting and congratulating the newly elected ruling Panchayat bodies of Chicalim and Chicolna-Bogmalo Panchayat on Monday.
“I want this to happen all across Goa; the newly elected Panchayat bodies should commit to themselves that they will work better to serve the people and not harass the public. From our side, the government will provide comfortable and better services and that too delivered at the doorsteps of the people. Now, that the stage has been set (newly), we need the elected Panchayat bodies and the government officers appointed in respective Panchayats in Goa to work in tandem and bury the hatchet,” Godinho said.
He further said, “I have seen that despite paucity of funds in the Panchayats, the same remains unutilized. All this happens because our BDOs/secretaries don’t intend to work and do not apply themselves and the on the flip side, the people blame the elected Panchayat members who actually are willing to work. To resolve this issue, we have decided to hold a convention of the outgoing as well as incoming Panchayat bodies,” he said and further added that “During the convention, several important directions would be issued to the newly elected bodies to ensure that Panchayats become people’s friendly. Also more plans would be revealed during the conventions of newly elected bodies which would be held next month. During the convention, we would also invite suggestions from stake holders and a decision on different amendments to the Panchayati Raj Act will be taken,” Godinho said.
He said under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Goa Government would give responsibility to the all Panch members to ensure that cleanliness is maintained in their wards and they should take stock of the situation on a regular basis. “If more funds are required, we will help the Panchayats, but Goa which is a tourist state has to emerge as the cleanest state in the country,” he claimed.
