Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Aug 16: Five village panchayats in Goa have gone online from August 1, offering residents access to a range of services without visiting offices. The move follows panchayat minister Mauvin Godinho’s announcement last month, with Chichalim, Batim, Alorna, Bastora and Casarvarnem selected under phase I of the initiative.

Director of Panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar said nine services are currently available online, including character, income and residence certificates. However, house tax payment is not part of the rollout yet. “It will be introduced in phase II within six months, though we are trying to make it available earlier,” she said.

Halarnkar noted that the response from residents has been positive, with many demanding that more panchayats adopt digital services at the earliest. “We haven’t received any negative feedback so far,” she added.

The online initiative is part of the Goa government’s larger digitisation drive aimed at reducing paperwork and ensuring faster service delivery.