Goa’s panchayats: Audit of accountability exposes huge gaps in efficiency and functioning
While panchayat members from Salcete have now come together to complain against the government for not giving them powers and rights envisaged in the 73rd amendment to the Constitution that came into force in April 1993, O Heraldo looks closely at the functioning of the 30 panchayats IN A SERIES CALLED GOA’S PANCHAYATS — AN AUDIT REPORT
The reports based on actual audit reports of the Accounts Department reveal that they have failed to fulfil the little responsibilities and duties entrusted to them.
The budgets prepared by these panchayats reveal that they have not utilised huge amounts of funds and most of them have more than Rs 1 crore lying in the banks in savings accounts earning minimal interest.
The Accounts Department audited the functioning of these panchayats for four years from 2018-19 to 2021-22 and their reports reveal a total lackadaisical manner of functioning by these panchayats.
The panchayats are also expected to carry out developmental works in their area for which they even get funds directly from the Centre through the Finance Commission. What is surprising to note is that in four years only 213 works were carried out in the taluka, while seven panchayats did not undertake any works in these four years.
MARGAO: The audit reports from 2018-19 to 2021-22 of the 30 panchayats in Salcete taluka reveal that 2,043 new constructions were licenced in the taluka, while 671 illegal constructions continue
to exist.
As per the auditors, no illegal constructions are identified in only two panchayats namely Camorlim and Carmona, while only one illegal construction has been identified in Orlim and Cavelossim panchayats.
The highest number of illegal constructions identified is in Chinchinim- Deussua where 132 are enlisted, followed by Nuvem (90), Davorlim-Dicarpale (57), Aquem Baixo (46) and Navelim (42).
Eight panchayats have identified illegal constructions numbering below 10 and these are Sarzora, Telaulim and Guirdolim (eight each), Curtorim and Raia (3 each); Paroda, Chandor-Cavorim along with Betalbatim (2 each).
Illegal constructions identified in other panchayats of the taluka are as follows: Dramapur-Sirlim (36), Seraulim (35); Sernabatim-Vanelim-Colva-Gandaulim (27); San Jose de Areal (23); Ambelim and Assolna (20 each); Varca and Cana-Benaulim (19 each); Macasana (16); Loutolim (15); Ilha de Rachol (13); Rumdamol-Davorlim (12) and Velim (11).
Six of the 30 panchayats have issued over 100 construction licences in the four years. They are Cana-Benaulim (238); San Jose de Areal (200); Sernabatim-Vanelim-Colva-Gandaulim (139); Raia (160); Davorlim-Dicarpale (121) and Curtorim (112).
Only three panchayats have issued less than ten construction licences during that period namely Navelim and Ilha de Rachol (10 each) and Rumdamol-Davorlim (9).
The number of constructions permitted in the other panchayats is as follows: Loutolim (67); Varca (91); Nuvem (83); Dramapur-Sirlim (81); Chinchinim-Deussua (79); Seraulim (74); Loutolim (67); Carmona (66); Camorlim (58); Chandor-Cavorim (40); Telaulim and Orlim (39 each); Aquem-Baixo and Guirdolim (34 each); Ambelim (30); Assolna and Velim (29 each); Sarzora and Cavelossim (24 each); Macasana (17) and Paroda (14).
As each panchayat has different rates for accessing fees to be charged for construction licences, it is not necessary that licencing more constructions means getting more revenue.
This can be seen from the fact that Navelim Panchayat which issued only 10 construction licences, earned the highest revenue of Rs 66,16,302 while Cana Benaulim panchayat despite issuing 238 construction licenses collected Rs 58,76,477 and Varca panchayat earned Rs 53,92,611 by permitting 91 constructions.
Three panchayats that generated least revenue through construction licences are Macasana Rs 1,75,150 from 17 licences, Paroda Rs 2,24,462 for 14 licences and Rumdamol-Davorlim Rs 2,46,305 from 9 permits.