Use existing funds for garbage mgmt, govt directs p’yats

Panaji: With panchayats having failed to optimally use grants sanctioned under the 14th and 15th finance commissions for garbage management, govt has decided not make a fresh provision for garbage in the budget head of the directorate of panchayats for financial year 2024-25.

During the budget meeting held with representatives of the finance department, chief minister Pramod Sawant had discussed major recommendations of the state finance commission. He had also directed the panchayats to utilise 100% of the 14th and 15th finance commission grants for tackling garbage menace.

Director of panchayats Siddhi Halarnakar has issued a memorandum to the block development officers to bring the same to the notice of village panchayats under their respective jurisdictions.

“The panchayats ought to make use of the grants that are already sanctioned to them under the 14th and 15th finance commission for this fiscal year,” a senior official at the directorate of panchayats said.

It is pertinent to note that the financial assistance to village panchayats are issued through the Goa Panchayats (Grants To Tackle Garbage Menace) Scheme 2017.