Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant said, Goa will be Swayampurna only when the villages become Swayampurna first. Panchas should understand the rights as well as responsibility to make Goa Swayampurna. Government will provide every required support to the Panchayats.
He was speaking after launching the induction training programme for the newly elected representatives of Panchayat Raj Institutions of South Goa at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao organised jointly by Directorate of Panchayats, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Goa Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development.
Further speaking Shri Sawant said, Panchas can be a big support for the government to reach to the last person of the society to give them every needed support, schemes and facilities. Panchas should work on the aim of Antyoday. Panchas should give every service to their people. Make the people of ward or village to stand on their own by availing benefits of the various employment generating schemes. He said, set target to give benefit of self employment to atleast 5 unemployed voters. Take maximum benefit of Swayampurna Mitras.
Government can achieve various targets with the initiatives of the panchayat members. Take responsibility of
localization of 17 Sustainable Development Goals through Panchayati Raj Institutions. He said, District Planning Committee will be formed. Plan for innovative model project. Do not oppose any Government project for the sake of opposition he pointed. Think how project will benefit the State overall. Seeking support of every panchayat to make success Sabka Sath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas the call given by Prime Minister.
Panchayat Minister, Shri Mauvin Godinho said, he is very happy to see that educated and qualified youth got elected in this panchayat elections. He said, Panchayati Raj is a local self government. Service of the people is important for any elected representative. Government is bringing lot many changes for easy working of Panchayats. To manage garbage, Government is funding the panchayats. Soon Government will make Operation and maintaince contract for 5 years with the suppliers of garbage machinery.
He called upon panchayats to segregate dry and wet waste. Government will always support Panchayats, he said and emphasised that every panchayat make efforts to treat garbage and generate revenue. Do not totally depend on grants. Since mining is closed States economy is fully dependend on tourism. Mopa Airport will be game changer for the State. More number of tourist will come to Goa. We should keep every nook and corner of the State garbage free to welcome the tourists, he remarked.
Underscoring the need for Panchayats to work responsibly he said nothing is bigger then the collective efforts and will in democracy. He felt that involvement of voters of the local particular panchayat jurisdiction should be considered while opposing any project. Panchayat members responsibility is to promote good public opinion. Many oppose projects and they go abroad to settle in their life. We need to create opportunities for the people who love to live in Goa, he said.
Stressing the need to create healthy atmosphere with discussions, he assured to look at the issue of increasing salaries of the panchayat members. Panchas are the future of the Goa. Every Goan should derive benefit from the tourism sector. For that we should promote infrastructure for the tourism, he said and added We cannot go back to the cave age so we should change our thinking. Life itself is a balance. Everyone should give contribution to make golden Goa, he added.
Directorate Panchayat officers will visit panchayats. Panchayat Raj Act should be more functional he said. Misuse of allotment of house number will not be tolerated henceforth. More illegal constructions will not be allowed. More powers will be given to panchayat to simplify promotion of legal construction, he added.
Swachhata hi Seva,Swachh Bharat Mission, Gramin 2.0 campaign was launched on the occasion.
Resource Person, Shri Narayan Dessai; Ex Sarpanch, Shiroda Panchayat, Shri Amit Shirodkar; Sarpanch, Rachol Panchayat, Shri Joseph Vaz; Secretary, Panchayat, Shri Menino Dsouza, IAS; Chairman, State Finance Commission, Shri Daulat Hawaldar, IAS (Rtd.); South Zilla Panchayat, President, Smt Suvarna Tendulkar spoke on the occasion.
Interactive session was held on “Local Body Goverment: an essential and the key component for the wholistic development of the State”
MLA, Shri Ulhas Tuyekar; Vice President, Zilla Panchayat South, Shri Kushali Velip; Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Smt Vaishali Naik were present on the occasion.
Director (Training) and Secretary, GIPARD Society, Shri Micheal D’souza, IAS welcomed. Director, Directorate of Panchayats, Smt Siddhi Halarnkar proposed vote of thanks. Smt Siddhi Upadhye compered.
