MARGAO: The Rs 95,95,000 budget for the year 2010-2011 was passed by the gram  sabha members of the Varca village panchayat on Sunday, amidst some persistent questioning, regarding some expenditure mentioned in the budget proposal, to be submitted to the Block Development Officer, Salcete Block, Margao.

Two gram sabha members were seen posing questions on the expenditure, particularly regarding the panchayat building. The secretary, Mr Dinesh Amonkar then agreed that there is a mistake regarding the land acquisition expenditure, which he said was erroneously mentioned, and then agreed to strike it off and insert construction of panchayat building in its place and drop off the word ‘land acquisition.’
Queries were also raised on the NREG Scheme, with the members asking the sarpanch and the secretary, as to what was being done to provide employment under this central government scheme.
The members were unhappy that enough was not being done in this respect. The panchayat was asked how many villagers were enrolled under the NREG scheme, and how many of these were given employment.
Mr Amonkar replied that so far 28 applicants have been enrolled adding that some of the work could not be conducted as the sanction from the BDO for such work is yet to be received. Mr Nazario Pinto also asked about the nature of the work under this scheme and pointed that no work involving concrete structure can be undertaken. He said that it is the duty of the secretary or the gram sevak to see that the proper work under this scheme is assigned.
The sarpanch, Ms Vincentina Fernandes said that Mr Pinto was the chairman of the RDA at one time, he could get sanction of the works mentioned by the panchayat, since the BDO has not yet sanctioned some of the works. She said that Mr Pinto could be of assistance to the panchayat and the villagers, if he chose to. However, Mr Pinto replied that the secretary or anyone must read all the rules to avail of the schemes under the NREGS.
One member, Mr Agnel Fernandes, said that some hotels were in the habit of dumping their waste in the fields, adding that it becomes very difficult to take care of the fields when there is garbage dumped there.
However, he praised the sarpanch, Ms Fernandes and her team and panchas, like Mr Jose Alfonso, who he said have brought progress in Varca village, as never before. He also thanked the PWD Minister for taking keen interest in looking into the developmental activities of the village. He appealed to all the villagers to co-operate with the sarpanch and the panchas for speedy development of the progress of
the village.
A resolution was passed to request the government to reduce conversion fees for land development in order to build individual residential houses.
It was also resolved to develop the Pedda and Zalor beaches in Varca village, since the central government has granted 200 crore for such development in the state.