the goan I network
MARGAO
Ahead of the ensuing elections for the Zilla Panchayats in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar and NCP MLA Churchill Alemao on Thursday batted for more powers and funds for the Zilla Panchayats, with the duo saying that MLAs should not fear the rise of the ZIlla Members as their future competitors.
The duo said they will support the Zilla Panchayats in getting more powers and funds to take up development works in their respective constituencies.
Speaking at the felicitation function cum Swachhata Hi Seva 2020 celebrations organized by the South Goa Zilla Panchayat at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, the deputy CM said he had always spoken in favour of arming the ZPs with more powers and functions.
“I am one of the MLAs who do not share the views that more powers to the Zilla Panchayats would be a passport to become future MLAs,” he said.
Kavlekar, who began his political career as a ZP member, said no one should fear anyone as each of the political players had their own roles to play in the existing set up.
“The ZPs have their constituencies comprising of 4-5 panchayats. There’s no harm if ZP members work in their areas and sarpanchas concentrate on their villages. The MLAs have a different role to play and no MLA should fear that more powers to the ZPs would pave the way for ZP members to challenge the MLAs,” he said.
In his address, lone NCP MLA Churchill Alemao said no Minister or MLA should fear the rise of Zilla Panchayat members as their challengers. “The Zilla Panchayats should get the support of the government. the Zilla Panchayat members are also elected by the people and should have the funds to take up development works,” he said.
Churchill, however, said that fund constraint is the biggest problem in allocating more funds for the Zilla panchayats. “Whatever may be the reason for delaying the devolution of powers and functions, the government should devolve more funds to the district Panchayat bodies,” he added.
