Team Herald
PANJIM: With Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho pitching for additional financial support to the local self-governing bodies, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was quick to remind his Cabinet colleague about non-utilisation of funds sanctioned under 14th Finance Commission or Golden Jubilee or 60th Goa’s Liberation celebration, by several panchayats.
While speaking during the launch of four-day capacity building workshop for newly elected panchayat members of North Goa, Sawant urged members not to get into ‘toppling game’ and ensure stability at panchayat functioning.
During the inauguration, Godinho requested the State government and State Finance Commission for additional funding to the panchayat bodies to perform more better. “We want our panchayats to work on mission mode ‘Go Make Goa Clean And Green’. We need to strengthen the Panchayat Raj and for that additional funding is needed,” he said.
Replying indirectly to his demand, the Chief Minister said that “even today there are many panchayats who are yet to utilise funds allocated under 14th Finance Commission or Golden Jubilee celebration or the recent 60th Goa’s Liberation”.
“We have not received any proposals…these funds are lying unutilised and has also not reverted back to the State,” he said.
Speaking further, Sawant urged the panchayat members to work with a five-year vision with concrete development plans to bring about positive changes in their villages. “We need to stop the frequent act of toppling the sarpanch just to get power. This toppling affects the work of the panchayat. It should be a thing of the past now,” the Chief Minister said.
