PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant has directed government departments to “adopt” a village each in pursuance of the Swayampurna Goa mission, and said that each department’s head should visit their village at least once a week.
Sawant met the empowered working group that was formed for the Swayampurna Goa mission, and reviewed the achievements of individual stakeholders.
The chief minister said that the department, once it adopts the village, must implement government schemes in that village. He said that officials should go to the people and not the other way round.
During the meeting, Sawant cited cases of how the common man is unaware about schemes of various departments. He also said that there should be proper utilisation of funds, and stressed the need for a time-bound action plan.
He also said that publicity for the mission should be undertaken throughout the state, and stressed the need to organise special gram sabhas in forest areas.
The chief minister asked each department to appoint a nodal officer for Swaympurna Goa due to the magnitude of work, inter-departmental links and for the smooth functioning of the project. “Collective consciousness is the main boosting force for self-reliance,” he said.
It was also decided that there is a need to compile important data on Goa about geographical resources, demography, water resources, forest resources, agricultural produce, horticultural produce, animal husbandry, fisheries, the tourism industry, transportation and other economic indicators.
Under Swayampurna Goa, panchayats and municipalities are supposed to get funds under the 15th Finance Commission and under the funds allocated for the 60th celebration of Goa’s Liberation. The state, through the scheme, wanted to ensure 100% coverage of water and electricity connections to the people.
The government has roped in the agriculture department to increase vegetable and agricultural production so that the state does not have to depend on other states for food.
Sawant had announced the Swayampurna Goa programme last October.
