Identifying land for 2 zilla bhavans, says p’yat minister

Porvorim: Panchayat minister Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday in the assembly said that state govt is in the process of identifying land to construct a zilla bhavan each for the North Goa and South Goa zilla panchayats.

He said govt is spending huge amounts on rent to run these offices at present.“Once we get land, we will obviously start the next process. We should have a zilla bhavan in North Goa and South Goa,” said Godinho. He was responding to a question by Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuemkar, who also sought to know about staff shortages in the zilla panchayats.The minister said that excess staff from other departments will be deputed to the zilla panchayat offices for effective functioning. “South Goa zilla panchayat body has a staff shortage. The staffing pattern was not proper. They were deputed there from elsewhere. They should be able to have their own staff. We will give directions to create posts in the zilla panchayat and I will request the CM to transfer excess staff from other departments like PWD.

I will streamline it. If we create posts, filling up vacancies will take time. If we shift staff, it can be done faster,” said Godinho.