PANJIM: The village panchayats (VPs) in Goa seems to be lacking far behind as far as providing civic services to its people are concerned; so also in maintaining efficiency, transparency and accountability in their functioning. This could be observed as Goa, with 191 VPs, is amongst those three States in the country, which is not been recognised for National Panchayat Awards 2019 by the Union Ministry for Panchayat Raj.
The other two States are Mizoram and Nagaland. What is interesting is that since the inception of the awards in 2011, only one panchayat (Loliem-Polem) and two gram panchayats (GPs) (Kirlapal Dabal and Maulinguem Kachirem) have won the National awards.
Every year, in order to encourage competitive spirit among Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and States/Union Territories (UTs), awards including financial incentives are given under the scheme
“Incentivisation of Panchayats” to best performing panchayats (District, Intermediate and Gram Panchayats) and States/UTs in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services and public goods.
The panchayats are honoured under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat
Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP), Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP), Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Award, Child-Friendly Gram Panchayat Award (CFGPA) and e-Panchayat Award.
The awards are categorised in recognition of good work done for improving delivery of services, public goods, civic services, sanitation, social sector performance, e-governance, child-friendly practices etc.
The Loliem-Polem VP in Canacona was awarded under Panchayats Empowerments, Accountability, Incentive Scheme 2011-12. While GP Kirlapal Dabal in Sanguem was awarded with Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar in 2011, Maulinguem Kachirem GP from Bicholim won the award in 2012.
“After 2012, we have not managed to get qualified for the awards. Our panchayats are lacking behind in e-governance, sanitation and other aspects,” a senior official said.
“However, things are improving. We are confident that in 2020, some of our panchayats will defiantly get recognition,” official said.
While State has not received any award, a 15-member delegation will be attending the award ceremony to be held on October 23.
As per the list of awardees released by Union Ministry, total 195 panchayats, district panchayats are awarded with DDUPSP, total 22 GPs will be honoured with CFGPA Award, 20 with NDRGGSP and six States to receive e-panchayat award.
