Plans for project only on paper after land acquisition over a decade back
The land acquired by the Chinchinim Village Panchayat for a Panchayat Ghar over a decade and a half ago is still unutilised.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
Just name the single issue that has repeatedly been mentioned at the gram sabha meetings of the village panchayat of Chinchinim over the last decade. Well, minutes of the gram sabha meetings held in the recent past will confirm that the long-delayed project for the construction of the Chinchinim Village Panchayat ghar-cum-multi-purpose complex has echoed at almost every gram sabha over the years.
That’s not all. This long-delayed project, for which land acquisition was initiated over a decade and a half ago, has yet to see the light of day, despite the fact that the Velim constituency has seen as many as three MLAs, including a minister, during the past 20 years.
Indeed, when the proposed Panchayat ghar-cum-multi-purpose complex came up for discussion yet again at the gram sabha meeting held on Sunday, there was a common refrain at the meeting venue – how long should Chinchonkars wait for the panchayat ghar project to become a reality when land for the project was acquired over a decade and a half ago?
Some of the gram sabha members admitted that the project was initially delayed due to the lack of agreement over whether the acquired land should host a panchayat ghar-cum-market complex or a panchayat ghar-cum-multi-purpose complex. The question has long been resolved with the panchayat settling for a panchayat ghar-cum-multi-purpose project and members wonder why successive governments have dilly-dallied in executing the project through the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation.
Incumbent Velim MLA Cruz Silva, along with a panchayat delegation, had called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with a plea to take up the project estimated to cost Rs 15 crore. Hopes were raised last year that the project would soon see the light of day following a nod from the Chief Minister, but the project is again stuck due to bureaucratic red tape.
The Finance Department in February wrote to the GSIDC Managing Director, stating that the proposed ground-plus-two structure consisting of a multi-purpose complex and swimming pool, at a cost of Rs 15.65 crore, will have a huge recurring maintenance cost and might not be necessary for the village panchayat building. The department told the GSIDC that the government has decided to restrict the panchayat complex to a basic panchayat office and some commercial outlets, adding that the expenditure for the project should be booked under the Panchayat Department’s existing scheme for the construction of village panchayat offices as per the guidelines and terms and conditions of the scheme.
The stalemate over the funding of the project by government agencies seems to have stalled the project for the moment. “I have been constantly following up on the project with the Chief Minister. There was some issue with the estimates. I have taken up the matter with the Chief Minister to expedite the project at the earliest,” said MLA Silva.
In a bid to accelerate progress on the project, incumbent Chinchinim Sarpanch Frank Viegas wrote to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in September with a request to reconsider financial approval for the project.
In the letter, the Sarpanch pointed out that the proposed project holds great importance for the community, saying it will provide much-needed facilities for public meetings, community events, administrative activities, and various social welfare programmes.
“Such infrastructure will significantly improve the quality of life for the residents of Chinchinim-Deussua by offering a centralised space for village-level governance and community interaction,” he said.
“We believe that this project aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen local governance and improve rural infrastructure. The absence of a dedicated Panchayat Ghar in our village has posed challenges for smooth administrative functioning, and this project would be a step towards addressing these issues. We urge you to re-evaluate the decision and grant the necessary financial approval for this project.”
