MARGAO
Lack of powers and funds for the district panchayat bodies took centre stage at the meeting of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat held on Monday, with members demanding an increased outlay of funds, besides powers.
The meeting, chaired by Chairperson Sidharth Gauns Desai, saw BJP ZP member Mohan Gaonkar making a forceful plea to the Chair to convey to the government the need to sanction additional funds and powers for the district panchayat bodies.
Gaonkar made it clear that the Rs 40 lakh in funds sanctioned to each of the ZP members are not sufficient even to take up three development works in a year. “What are we supposed to do when we exhaust the funds allotted to the members? Unlike the Panchayat bodies, we have no powers to take up works,” he said.
He added: “Even Panchayat members are actively carrying out works on a daily basis. But here, we remain passive for want of powers, except to utilise the Rs 40 lakh sanctioned annually to each of the members.”
Underscoring the need to take up the matter with the government to devolve more funds and powers to the Zilla panchayats, Gaonkar urged the South Goa ZP Chairperson to take it up with the government. “The government sanctions grants to the ZPs which are not sufficient to take up three or four works. The government can divert funds from other departments to the ZP to take up the works of these departments,” he added.
Chairperson Desai later told the media that the South Goa ZP will convey the sentiments of the Zilla panchayat members to the government for more funds and powers. “The government can issue directions for the implementation of the Rural Development Agency’s schemes via the Zilla Panchayat.” Saying he would take up the issues of funds and powers with the government, Desai exuded confidence that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will work out a solution to the issue of powers and funds for the district panchayat bodies.
When asked whether the BJP government is serious about devolving powers and funds to the ZPs, Desai said discussion is presently underway on whether the subject of community farming can be allocated to the ZPs to handle.
Members pointed out that the Zilla Panchayat members do not even enjoy the power to issue life certificates to the beneficiaries of government schemes.
The meeting discussed a circular received from the Tribal Welfare Department mandating the Zilla Panchayat to obtain pre-approval from the department before taking up development works in the ST areas.
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Kushavati ZP members seek separate status, more funds
MARGAO: In an interesting development, the seven South Goa Zilla Panchayat members hailing from Kushavati district have urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to sanction additional funds.
Led by South Goa ZP Chairperson Sidharth Gauns Desai, the delegation impressed upon the Chief Minister that though the seven members all hail from the Kushavati district, they continue to be a part of the South Goa ZP.
Dharbandora ZP member Rupesh Desai told the members that the delegation has urged the Chief Minister to give them a separate status, besides additional funds to undertake development.
Chairperson Sidharth Gauns Desai later told the media that the delegation has asked the CM to sanction additional funds since the seven members from Kushavati district continue to be part of the South Goa district ZP body. “We have asked for an extension of the South Goa ZP office in the same building. We have asked for additional funds so that members can take up more works,” Desai said, adding that the Chief Minister has assured them that he will fulfil their requests.
