Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Aug 7: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed all Gram Panchayats to prepare comprehensive Vikasit Gram Panchayat Plans by March 2027, while announcing that the Rural Development Agency (RDA) will honour the best-performing Panchayats for outstanding development projects.

Addressing a District-Level Panch Sammelan attended by sarpanches, panch members and Gramin Rozgar Sahayaks (GRS), Sawant urged local bodies to make better use of Central government schemes, particularly the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), to undertake village development works and create employment opportunities.

He said the Centre was willing to sanction more projects, but Goa had not been submitting enough quality proposals under MGNREGA. Referring to discussions with Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sawant said well-prepared proposals with proper estimates and layouts would receive approval.

The chief minister stressed that Panchayats should focus on projects that create public assets while generating livelihoods. He highlighted works such as drains, check dams, ponds, soak pits and water conservation structures, saying they not only improve infrastructure but also provide employment, particularly to women.

During the interaction, GRS representatives showcased successful projects undertaken in different villages, including well construction for Scheduled Caste families, canal desilting, pond rejuvenation, trench digging, plantation drives and rural road works under MGNREGA.

Sawant also called for large-scale rejuvenation of village wells, ponds and canals, encouraging Panchayats to utilise Central funding under initiatives such as Pani Adva Pani Jirva and the Catch the Rain campaign.

He announced specialised training for Gramin Rozgar Sahayaks on project preparation, water conservation, agriculture, irrigation and utilisation of funds to improve implementation.

The chief minister further said roadside plantation would be expanded across the state under the VBG Ram-G Yojana, with the Rural Development Department supplying saplings and labourers receiving wages under MGNREGA.

Responding to concerns over delays in material payments and procedural issues, Sawant assured Panchayat representatives that the government would examine their suggestions and resolve pending issues.

He also noted that daily wages under MGNREGA had been increased from Rs 378 to Rs 407 and urged Panchayats to submit major development proposals by November for approval by the Centre.

Highlighting the government's Swayampurna Goem initiative, Sawant encouraged Panchayats to take up innovative, income-generating projects such as community farming, floriculture, fisheries and fodder cultivation to strengthen rural livelihoods.

Concluding his address, he called on Panchayat representatives to exchange successful ideas and work together to realise the vision of Vikasit Gram Panchayat and Swayampurna Goem.