MARGAO: The gram sabha meeting of the village panchayat of Majorda, on Sunday, approved the proposed budget for the year 2010-2011, which is estimated at Rs 71,21,000, amidst some questioning on some heads of expenditure,

and also regarding the delay caused to submit the budget for sanction to the Block Development Officer, since the financial year already ended in March, 2010.
Some members also raised questioned on the remarks made in the audit report of the last financial year, with one gram sabha member, Advocate Radharao Gracias, pointing out that the questions raised by Mr Kantak, regarding the budget proposal were valid, and added that in future, care should be taken to avoid adverse remarks from the auditors.
There was a thorough discussion regarding the house tax to be paid by a particular star hotel, when the minutes of the previous gram sabha were read out by sarpanch, Ms Visitation D’Silva.
The members questioned the sarpanch whether she had collected the tax from this particular hotel, before holding of this gram sabha, as promised, to which the sarpanch stated that she had said that she would collect the house tax from the star hotel, by following the law.
This led to arguments with members reminding the sarpanch that she had promised to collect the tax, on the strength of the gram sabha resolution, and that the words ‘by following the due process of law’ were not mentioned. They wanted the words in question to be deleted from the minutes and the secretary, Mr Podwal, then did the necessary corrections.
When the sarpanch announced a revision of house tax, the members expressed the desire that the tax on the star hotels should be increased. They said that tax on residential houses should be increased by 5 per cent, and that on star hotels and commercial establishments should be increased by 30 per cent rise.
However, the gram sabha members argued that house tax on the star hotels should benefit the village and that that panchayat should have the right to increase the house tax on the star hotels, rather than the government agencies.
Mr Francisco Pacheco, the Tourism Minister, who attended the gram sabha, pointed that he is entirely with the desires and aspirations of the gram sabha members, and that he had brought this aspect to the attention of the Chief Minister, who is also the Finance Minister. Mr Pacheco then said that it is not the Finance Minister, but the government who has to decide on this. A resolution to this effect was later adopted and passed, which is to be forwarded to the Tourism ministry.
The Tourism Minister informed that he is ready to spend any amount on the developmental works of the panchayats of his constituency, and asked the sarpanchas and the panchas to come forward with their proposals.
The sarpanch announced that the Tourism Minister spent his own money in de-silting of the ‘Toleaband Lake at Calata, and said that the panchayat has submitted a list of water bodies to the minister, that require de-silting.
The minister then informed that there are funds available for the development of beaches from Candolim, Majorda, Velsao and other beaches. He said that the Majorda creek development, panchayat ghar and a market complex are the other projects that would be taken up for development, upon the proposal from the chairman of the Ward Development Committee, Mr Radharao Gracias.
It was also announced that the connecting roads near the road under bridge, which is almost ready would open by the end of May.
The problem of migrants also figured prominently at the gram sabha. The secretary informed that those who have let out their premises on rent to these migrants, have to deposit a month’s rent with the panchayat. The sarpanch asked those who have complaints in this matter to file a complaint with her, so that she can verify and take appropriate action.
Zilla panchayat member, Ms Nelly Rodrigues was also present at this
gram sabha.