WHAT THE ZILLAS SAY
Placing RDA under the umbrella of ZP will allow it to steer vehicle of development in rural areas
This is first step towards decentralization of power to the grassroots
The move will allow ZPs to implement many schemes in the most effective manner
It would give ZPs a say in deciding the money is spent and prioritizing the schemes that need to be implemented
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Arlekar plans to hand
over RDA reins to ZPs
Zillas welcome move, RDA maintains silence pending formal govt decision
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After having struggled for increase in funds and functioning, Zilla Panchayats from both the districts welcomed Panchayat Minister Rajendra Arlekar’s statement about the intention to hand over reins of Rural Development Agency (RDA) to Zilla Panchayats.
However, officials from the RDA maintained stoic silence on the matter pending formal government decision. Sources from RDA held that the move could not possibly affect the functioning of RDA in any manner.
Speaking to The Goan, South Goa ZP chairperson Navnath Naik stated, “Placing RDA under the umbrella of ZP will allow ZPs to steer the vehicle of development in rural areas.”
But Naik pointed out that even while ZP chairpersons hold the post of chairperson of District Planning Commission (DPC), lack of interest and cooperation from the municipalities, panchayats and MLAs that thwarted DPC’s agenda.
Referring to Karnataka State government’s proposal to accord the status of Minister of State to its Zilla Panchayat chairpersons, Naik said, “While on a study tour recently, ZP members observed that ZP chairpersons in other States are accorded the status equivalent to that of a cabinet minister. But this is not the case in Goa.”
It was held that protocol bore no substance unless the ZPs have real power to affect concrete changes in the society.
Former chairperson of South Goa Zilla Panchayat Nelly Rodrigues saw this as the ‘first step towards decentralization of power to the grassroots.’
She maintained that being in touch with the grassroots will allow ZPs to implement many schemes in the most effective manner.
“The department should also consider allowing us the power to issue technical approvals, which is enjoyed by the PWD,” Rodrigues said.
Applauding the intentions of the Panchayat Minister to place RDA under ZPs, former chairperson of North Goa Zilla Panchayat Jayesh Salgaokar stated, “Although it would not amount to devolution of funds, it would give ZPs a say in deciding the manner in which the money is spent and prioritizing the schemes that need to be implemented.”
He observed that while the annual budget and audit of RDA is supposed to be monitored by ZP members, ZPs are not considered the decision making process.
Cautioning that the assurance could also be a pre-election gimmick, Salgaokar stated, “ZP members hope that these are not false promises and that the assurances get converted into a cabinet decision soon and does not end up being a pre-poll gimmick.”
Failing this, he warned that North Goa ZP members could also stage a walkout similar to the boycott of the ZP meeting by South Goa ZP members on Wednesday.
