Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai struck an instant connection with villagers who threw a volley of questions and eagerly awaited his point of view. This was one of his village visits down Salcete on Thursday that had expectations on both sides. But, interestingly, it was a pointed question raised by the Sarpanch of Camurlim about the devolution of powers to the panchayat bodies that drew the most traction, and the Governor did not disappoint.
“Somebody spoke about the 73rd and 74the Constitutional Amendments. I want to say that the concept of Mahatma Gandhi during the time of freedom struggle in the 30s and 40s was centred on Gram Swaraj. Gram means people are the supreme in certain areas, and Swaraj means Republic type, which will deal with village industries, and agricultural operations and ensure the happiness of the village people,” he said.
The Governor may have momentarily touched a raw nerve in the ruling dispensation, but he chose a subtle and diplomatic approach to convey his message. At a time when panchayats are becoming powerless by the day, when people’s opinions and demands are treated with disdain, and when the gram sabhas are reduced to a formality and a farce, Pillai’s words have raised a small hope, mainly because he assured to solve problems within his limits and “put in maximum efforts to address issues” by placing them before the State and Central ministries.
There has been a consistent demand to devolve more powers to the local bodies under the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution. However, panchayats continue to do minor jobs of cleaning gutters and drainages, laying pavers and undertaking site inspections on conflict issues. The need of the hour is to expand the role of the 191 panchayats and ensure that local bodies become a crucial cog in the wheel of Swayampurna Goa. In 2020, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho assured devolution of powers to the panchayats and Zilla panchayats and cited the work of maintenance of primary schools and Balwadis.
The Governor stated that he visited 95 per cent of the villages in 17 months in office, and by any yardstick, this is monumental. Pillai has a 360-degree view of villages and the issues people face on the ground. There were times when the expectations were huge, with locals treating him as their elected representative, only to be reminded that a Governor is a nominated authority. But that sums up the expectation that people have in Pillai.
The question is whether the Governor, carrying this massive baggage of people’s issues, could be the bridge between the powers that be and the people of Goa.
History tells us that governments have never taken pointed statements or even subtle messages by Governors in the true spirit. On the contrary, it has only led to the widening of the chasm between the two, and we saw that with Pillai’s predecessor Satya Pal Malik. He was summarily transferred after his utterances against the Pramod Sawant-led government’s policies during the earlier regime.
Pillai’s support and financial aid to the lesser privileged, sick and physically challenged are known across Goa. The question is whether he can impress upon the government and usher a change for local bodies. Can Gandhi’s ideology and people’s supremacy, which he narrated on Thursday, find favour?
