ZP members assert grassroots power, demand funds equal to MLAs' grants

The first meeting of the newly elected South Goa Zilla Panchayat chaired by Chairperson Sidharth Gauns Desai.

MARGAO
The refrain of “Give us powers, functions and funds” dominated the first meeting of the newly elected South Goa Zilla Panchayat (ZP), chaired by Sidharth Gauns Desai, as members unanimously pressed the State government for greater financial autonomy and devolution of authority.
At the meeting, several members expressed dissatisfaction with the current development grant of Rs 40 lakh allotted to each of the 25 ZP members, stating that the amount was grossly inadequate to meet the developmental needs of their constituencies. One member went a step further, demanding that if MLAs are entitled to development grants of Rs 50 crore, ZP members should receive at least Rs 1 crore each.
Members pointed out that ZP representatives are no different from MLAs in terms of grassroots representation, as they too represent voters from three to four villages. They stressed that the existing funds were insufficient to address infrastructure and welfare requirements at the village level.
The members also demanded that the expenditure ceiling for individual development works be increased from the present Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, enabling them to execute larger and more meaningful projects.
A strong pitch was also made for the devolution of powers, functions and funds from key departments such as the Rural Development Agency (RDA), Agriculture, Health, and Women and Child Development to the Zilla Panchayats. The members asserted that decentralisation would allow elected representatives to implement schemes more efficiently at the grassroots level.
The ZP members proposed that the chairperson seek an appointment with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and members of the State cabinet to press for their demands.
Referring to past experiences with errant contractors, one member issued a stern warning, stating that contractors would be held accountable for the timely completion and quality execution of works, and that any attempt to hold members “to ransom” would not be tolerated.
Briefing the media after the meeting, chairperson Sidharth Gauns Desai said there was a unanimous consensus among members to increase the project cost ceiling from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.
On the demand for powers and functions, Desai said members strongly felt that departments such as RDA, Agriculture, Health, and Women and Child Development should be brought under the Zilla Panchayat’s purview.
He acknowledged the demand to raise the development grant for ZP members from Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
“All newly elected members are keen on taking up development projects in their respective constituencies. Hence, they have requested an increase in fund allocation. I am confident that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will support the ZP members and give them the opportunity to usher in development works,” Desai said.
Responding to questions on the insistence for greater authority, the ZP chairperson said there was nothing wrong in demanding powers and functions.
“If the government transfers certain functions and funds from departments like RDA, Agriculture, Health and Women and Child Development, Zilla Panchayat members will be able to deliver better results at the grassroots level,” he added.
---
Cramped office
The first meeting also highlighted infrastructural shortcomings, as congestion at the cramped South Goa Zilla Panchayat office left the newly elected members struggling for space. The 25 members and ZP officials could not be seated comfortably, while there was no space available for media personnel.
Some members suggested shifting future meetings to the spacious conference hall at the South Goa Collectorate. However, ZP officials pointed out that earlier meetings at the Collectorate were discontinued due to logistical difficulties in transporting files from the ZP office.
The situation once again raised a long-pending question — when will the government finally allot land for the construction of a South Goa Zilla Bhavan, a proposal that has remained unresolved for over two decades.