In a significant development for rural governance in Goa, seven village panchayats were awarded ISO certifications on Friday, marking a milestone in their efforts to enhance public service delivery and infrastructure. The certifications were granted following a thorough examination of 191 panchayats across the state, focusing on key parameters such as infrastructure development, service efficiency, and administrative standards.
Minister Calls for Higher Standards in Panchayat Services
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho emphasized the importance of this achievement, urging other village panchayats to strive for similar recognition. He highlighted that 41 additional panchayats are currently in the process of obtaining ISO certification, reflecting a growing commitment to improving grassroots governance.
"Let’s make the difference by achieving higher standards in delivering public services at the grassroots level," said Godinho. He stressed that collaboration among all stakeholders, particularly panchayat members and staff, is crucial to meet these targets. To support this initiative, selected panchayat staff underwent specialized training to enhance their service delivery capabilities, with only those meeting stringent standards being selected for certification.
Recognized Panchayats and Their Achievements
The panchayats that received ISO certification include:
- Volvoi
- Sarzora
- Sao Matias
- Keri-Tiracol
- Mencurem-Dhumase
- Harvalem
- Chicalim
Vinayak Vengurlekar, sarpanch of Volvoi panchayat, shared insights into their success, noting, "We saw the initiatives of panchayats in other states, and implemented them here. The tips and training by Gipard officials helped us to meet our targets." This approach underscores the value of learning from best practices across regions.
Similarly, Gurudas Parab, sarpanch of Mencurem-Dhumase panchayat, highlighted financial independence as a key outcome, stating, "Our village panchayat has developed new sources of income, and they no longer entirely depend on government for funds." This shift toward self-sufficiency is a notable benefit of the certification process.
Auditor Emphasizes People-Centric Evaluation
Adrain Simoes, a lead auditor involved in the certification process, explained that the evaluation prioritized community welfare. "Our priority was to ensure that people come first, and accordingly, panchayats were evaluated," he said. This people-centric approach ensures that the certifications translate into tangible improvements in public services for residents.
The initiative represents a broader push toward modernizing rural governance in Goa, with ISO certification serving as a benchmark for quality and efficiency. As more panchayats join this movement, it is expected to foster a culture of excellence and accountability in local administration, ultimately benefiting communities across the state.
