PANJIM: The State government on Thursday announced special grants to three municipalities – Mapusa, Curchorem and Bicholim – to take up need-based infrastructure projects within their jurisdiction which are economically viable and can sustain future operations of these municipal councils, based upon their revenue generating capabilities.
“The Goa Special Grants to Municipalities Scheme, 2018” has been notified by department of Urban Development, wherein onetime financial assistance will be provided to the three municipalities.
The municipalities will have to take up special infrastructure projects, projects benefiting population in more than one ward, projects which shall create revenue sources, projects which will be viable and sustain future operation of the municipality and other amenities.
The government has clarified that the grants are project specific and cannot be utilised for any other projects and that the amount has to be utilised within one financial year. “No grant shall be allowed to be paid to any other non-government agency/voluntary organization out of this grants sanctioned by the government,” the notification stated.
In case of misutilisation of grants, the amount misutilised shall be recovered from the municipal council and its functionaries would be liable for prosecution.
