panaji: May 13, 2017 … To motivate active participation in the upcoming Panchayat Elections in the state, a conference was organised by Directorate of Panchayat for all the village panchayat members at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji. The unique initiative by Minister for Panchayat Shri Mauvin Godinho declared May 13, 2017 to be observed as Swachh Village Abhiyan, a cleanliness drive for clean and Green Goa.
Swachh Village Abhiyan is an initiative by Directorate of Panachayat to initiate patriotism and cleanliness awareness among villagers. This will not only mark surface cleanliness but also clean minds. Places for tree plantation will be identified and planning for neat and green Goa. It will also increase the scope of communication; in order to build a sustainable Panchayat
Minister for Panchayat Shri. Mauvin Godinho, Director of Panchayat Smt. Sandhya Kamat, Deputy Directors Shri. Sudhir Kerkar and Ajay Gaude, CEO (North) Shri Dashrath Redkar, President-North Goa ZP Smt. Ankita Navelkar and vice president-South Goa ZP Smt. Chitra Phadte were present on this occasion.
In his motivational speech Shri. Godinho congratulated the outgoing panchayat bodies for their contribution since past five years. Shri Godinho pointed that Panchayat body cannot function without a support from experienced locals, ex-panchs and ex-sarpanchs. “Panchayat is one of the important grassroots bodies of the Government. Unity among its members is the key towards a successful and strong VP. A strong Panchayat needs to be stable. Good Governance is foul cry if the Panchayat changes Sarpanch twice or thrice in a year. This also embodies high intolerance of people. This not only harms the administration, but also restricts the development of your own village,” he commented.
Quoting that a good leader is the one who listens to each single opinion, and take the best forward. Shri Godinho addressed the officials in the Panchayat Department to use their powers with responsibility. “I remind the Panchayat Directorate staff to be punctual and be present in the office. The Government servants are bound to deliver first. They must listen to the elected representatives and need not overpower them. They are expected to deliver solutions and not confrontations,” he said. He assured strict action against staff who denies duties and assured smooth functioning of work at the Block Development Officer level.
He also promised to visit each village Panchayat to acknowledge its grievances. “More than 60 % of the state’s area is covered by the villages. It is the responsibility of the village administrator to keep the peace and sanctity alive among villagers. One ought to have a like and attitude for service of the people,” he stated.
In her welcome address Director Smt. Sandhya Kamat gave an overview of the Swachh Village Abhiyan. The drive will be cordially organised by the Directorate and village Panchayat and expected each villager to join hands for the same.
Dy. Director (North) Shri Sudhir Kerkar proposed vote of thanks. The conference was attended by Village Panchayat members in large numbers.
