Goa govt eyes to give more autonomy to panchayat bodies

A Goa minister said here today that the state government will work out legislative methods to give more autonomy and financial power to the panchayat bodies.
"The state government, during the upcoming assembly session, will work out legislative methods to give more autonomy and financial muscles to the panchayat bodies," state Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said.
The minister also expressed concerns over the unutilised funds allocated by the central government in the last fiscal for the village panchayats.
"The state had got a sanction for the funds to the tune of Rs 27 crore for the current financial year, of which only Rs 4.5 crore were utilised by all the panchayats (collectively)," he said.

Godinho was speaking during the state-level convention of the elected representatives and functionaries of panchayat raj institutions in Panaji today.
"If we draft a proposal and submit it to the Centre, we can get funds to the tune of Rs 150 crore for this tenure of panchayats. That will change the face of our villages. But for that, all the panchayats should pull up their sleeves," the minister said.

The proposals, such as that of beautification, anti-flooding measures, creation of gardens, recreational spaces for senior citizens and others can be prepared, which are funded through central government's schemes.
"I can assure you that if you have a good proposal, funds will never be a constraint," he said.

Goa has 186 panchayat bodies across the state.