Panaji, Mar 13 :Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik on Saturday handed over four hearse vans and same number of garbage pickup vehicles to various gram panchayats.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was also present on the occasion.

The Union Minister handed over Hearse Vans to Colvale, Taleigao, Vironda, Socorro Village Panchayats and Garbage Pickup vehicles to Pale, Cotombi, Kudne Village Panchayats. Rs 45 lakhs under Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme was used for these vehicles.

‘Due to Covid Pandemic MPLAD Funds Scheme is currently suspended. The funds which were allocated earlier is used for these vehicles,’ Naik said.

Mr Naik said he was very much pleased that he used MPLAD funds for the welfare of village panchayats. The vehicles would be of great help to the Panchayats, he added.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant praised Mr Naik for using MPLAD Funds very judiciously. ‘In the last 20 years Shripad Naik showed the way to use MPLAD Funds,’ Dr Sawant said.(UNI)