VILLAGE PANCHAYATS ARE FLUSH WITH FUNDS. The Panchayats have received funds ranging from R5 to Rs 25 lakhs under 14th Finance commission. The year is coming to and end and the un utilised funds will revert back and new funds will not be made available. Panchayats are crying for resources, but are not serious in take advantage. ,The grants are based on 90% population and 10% on area under Basic grant and performance grants under 73 constitutional amendment constituted every five years. The funds re exclusively for human development through a participatory process and not for new infrastructure’ The theme “Niyojit Amcho Gaon Nitol Amchem Goem” 3 years have already lapsed without taking advantage of annual grants and this is not an ideal situation of using the much needed funds for human development .Some basic services included are water supply,sanitation,sewerage,solid waste management, storm water drains maintenance of community assets, burial and cremation grounds, roads maintenance foot paths, street lights importance of planning to improve basic services participatory process, resource mobilization, accountability etc.
There is rider. The Panchayat has to form minimum 29 committees at Gram Shaba, A seven member steering committee with Sarpanch, Secretary, Convener and members from VDC .Initiative by Goa Institute of Public Administarttion of Rural Development(GIPARD) to guide by holding seminars at various levels The Plan has to be prepared by participatory process as per clear guidelines and will serve for 5years The plan GPDP has to be first discussed by VDC and Gramshaba will then, prioritize the suggestion and then approved by Village Panchayat body which are finally vetted by BDO . There is a three day participatory planning process, analysis, compiling reports and then writing the whole plan as per guidelines,4 copies of the report are needed for which 10 percent of grants can be utilized with due deliberations and recording. To facilitate the process GIPARD has provided systematic guidelines to be adhered too Unless all parameters of GPDP are complied with approval will be withheld. Approval are assured and expected within 7 days, if conditions are followed in preparation Sanctioned for planned utilization of recorded suggestions up to 2lakhs rests with BDO. Between 2to 5 lakhs with Director of Panchayats, and above that limit with respective line developments(Departments) There is strict monitoring of utilization as GPDP so that leakages are plugged. Implementation of projects periodic review of GPDP is required The GPDP is achievable target as detail instructions manual , seminars, are in place to guide the plan formation .The Panchayats only need to be serious, shed the lethargy in undertaking the process of formalizing of the plan to use the allocated resources before deadline of the financial year. The Goa Govt has been squeezed for funds due to mining and tourism slump and hence the central funds must substitute to do needful The general public has been unaware of these facilities and Panchayats as usual are slow to react and take measures of public needs and basic services blaming lack of funds Nelson Lopes chinchinim
