Was Panchayat Minister Rajendra Arlekar serious when he told members of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat that the government is considering a proposal to bring the rural development agency under the jurisdiction of the ZPs? We ask this question because no panchayat minister or chief minister in the past has dared to devolve more powers to these middle-tier democratic institutions. Arlekar apparently told the members that he had discussed the issue with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and hinted that both of them were on the same page on devolution of powers. More surprisingly, the minister also announced that he would revive the district planning committees in accordance with the 73rd amendment, said he favoured a scheme on the lines of MPLAD for zilla members and promised to hike the annual grant from Rs 6.5 crore to Rs 10 crore.
One is tempted to say that the announcements made by Arlekar are the result of a new broom wanting to sweep clean. Sooner or later, reality will kick in and the minister will realise that devolution of powers also results in dilution of powers for others and the eventually the tap of power has to be shut. Because this is how all previous governments have behaved. They promise the world and failed to deliver even one sq meter of land.
It was always argued that Goa, being a small state, did not need zilla panchayats and their existence would just crowd the political landscape. Two tiers -- government and panchayats is company and three (zilla panchayats) is a crowd. Zilla panchayats make sense in large states with districts which are twice the size of Goa, if not larger. Nonetheless, ZP took birth in the State and people showed their overwhelming support by turning out to elect representatives even though they knew that real power flowed through MLAs with panchayats enjoying a bit, thanks to the trickle-down effect.
In reality though, there is ample space for a third-tier because at present this function is handled by the executive through block development officers. Panchayats are, by and large, supervised by a BDO because the ZPs have not been given enough power and MLAs are worried that any alteration of this system will result in a loss of power over panchayats. ZPs have a role to play is the larger scheme of things and can be used in planning and supervisory capacities. This would loosen the stranglehold of the executive and make the system more responsive.
ZP members have been lamenting about paucity of funds and lack of power and responsibility. The 73rd amendment envisages clear transfer of powers to the panchayats and zilla panchayats, but this has not been implemented. In the light of what has not happened in the past, Arlekar's promises to ZP members, if implemented in toto, will be a revolution in grass-root level democracy. It will definitely be good for the State and the people who always benefit from decentralisation. More importantly, if the RDA is placed under the jurisdiction of the ZPs then elected representatives at the second tier will technically be in charge of central schemes that flow through this department. Arlekar has taken a step forward, now let's see if he can follow through.
