PANJIM: As one of the step aimed at revival of the economic activity in the State post the COVID-19 pandemic, the Goa Government is working towards making each of the 191 village panchayats and 14 municipalities economically self-sustainable, depending on the assets under its jurisdiction.
Addressing media persons on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government, with the help of experts including professors, will undertake a detailed study towards the revival of economic activities in panchayat and municipal areas.
“It is very important that these local bodies are economically self sustained,” he said.
Sawant added that by May end, a detailed report on ‘Model Panchayat and Model Municipality’, will be prepared, which will focus on the kind of economic activities that can be promoted in these areas depending upon their assets.
“Every panchayat has different assets…some have tourism as their local economy while others have agriculture. Focus has to be on promoting everything,” he said, while adding that youth need to come forward to take up farming as agriculture produce has a huge market in the State.
He added that the State has separately set up an Economic Revival Committee and Expenditure Control Committee, to prepare a road map for Goa..
Further, the CM informed that provision has been made for every panchayat to spend up to Rs 25,000 to help the poor and needy with its jurisdiction.
He added that panchayats can start spending it immediately and claim the amount from the BDO later.
“Each panchayat will have to identify the needy within its jurisdiction and spend the amount judiciously,” he said.
Speaking further, Sawant clarified that his statement on tourism, made on national television was misquoted. He said tourism has always been welcome but considering the present situation, it will be possible only in the end of the year. “Tourism activities will commence only after situation normalizes,” he said.
He reiterated that of the total 11,000 labourers, who were given monthly assistance of Rs 8,000 each, nearly 10,500 are Goans.
Sawant said that the money given to the labourers has been drawn from the Rs 270 crore collected in the labour welfare fund, through the cess imposed.
