South ZP opposes move to entrust its works to PWD

TEAM HERALD

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MARGAO: South Goa Zilla Panchayat on Friday vehemently opposed any government attempt to entrust Zilla Panchayat works to the PWD for execution, terming it as an encroachment on the autonomy of the district Panchayat body guaranteed under the Constitutional Amendment.

Members of the Zilla Panchayat in one voice opposed the government plan after Chairperson Nelly Rodrigues briefed them vis-à-vis a plan mooted by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to entrust PWD the responsibility to take up ZP works amounting to Rs 5 crore. “This is not acceptable to the Zilla Panchaayt. This clearly encroaches on our autonomy. PWD has no role to play in execution of Zilla Panchayat works,” cried Nelly, as members adopted a resolution against the government move.

At the ZP meeting on Friday, Nelly informed the members that the chief minister has promised to increase the development grant from Rs 5 crore to Rs 9 crore this financial year. Nelly, however, later told newsmen that the chief minister was non-committal over devolution of powers and functions to the zilla panchayats.

Nelly explained that she would take up with Union RDA Minister Jairam Ramesh as to why RDA schemes are not routed through the Zilla Panchayas as mandated by law.

The Zilla Panchayat adopted a resolution demanding two floors of the old Collectorate building, South to house the Zilla Panchayat bhavan. Nelly said the government has agreed in principle to allot two floors of the old Collectorate to house the Zilla Panchayat and disclosed plans to soon conduct an inspection of the building.

Member Pradeep Dessai raised the issue of delay in the completion of works by the contractors and blacklisting of the erring contractors. Chairperson supported the suggestion and urged the administration to maintain a file for blacklisting of contractors.

The Chairperson also announced plans to create a ZP website for the benefit of the members and their constituents alike.

Member Domnick Gaonkar raised the issue of the long delayed four-lane road between Arlem-Borim. He said it’s more than five years since work on the road was taken up by the government, but it remains incomplete till date. He also raised the issue of the narrow road between Sonsodo and Curtorim, resulting in many accidents.

The ZP members rejected the suggestion put forth by the ZP administration for e-tendering of works below Rs five lakh.