MARGAO
Newly elected Chairperson of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat, Sidharth Gauns Desai, has said that the Zilla Panchayat is looking forward to the State government to devolve the powers and functions of the Rural Development Agency (RDA) to district panchayats, in keeping with the devolution of authority envisaged under the Constitution of India.
He also said that the newly elected body would follow up on the long-pending construction of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat Bhavan during its current five-year term.
Responding to questions from the media after his election, the two-time Xeldem Zilla Panchayat member—who had served as Vice-Chairperson in the previous term—said that Zilla Panchayat members would call on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to seek the devolution of funds, powers, and functions to the Zilla Panchayats.
“All Zilla Panchayat members feel that district panchayat bodies should enjoy the powers, funds, and functions envisaged under the law. There is a strong sentiment that the funds and powers currently with the RDA and other departments should be handed over to the ZPs for effective management. After the Zilla Panchayat holds its meeting, we will approach the Chief Minister for help and assistance,” he said.
Stating that there was no dearth of government funds for the Zilla Panchayats during the last five-year term, Desai said that members were able to execute several development works due to funds sanctioned by the government.
“We look forward to the government not only enhancing the funds but also devolving the powers and functions to the Zilla Panchayats,” he added.
When the media pointed out that enhanced funding was allegedly aimed at discouraging ZPs from demanding greater powers and functions, Desai said that timely sanctioning of funds was what mattered most. “The Chief Minister sanctioned funds from time to time, which helped members carry out developmental works in their constituencies. This time too, we will approach the Chief Minister to further increase funding for Zilla Panchayat bodies,” he said.
Referring to the long-pending Zilla Panchayat Bhavan, Desai said that the project could not take shape during the last five years due to the non-availability of land. He added that the new body would pursue the matter with the concerned departments to identify suitable land for constructing the Zilla Panchayat Bhavan.
