the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa Panchayat Raj Institutions (Goa PRIs) has demanded to know the fate of the host of issues affecting the Panchayat Raj institutions, including the implementation of the Open Defecation Free (ODF) scheme at the panchayat level, constitution of the Block Advisory Committees, salaries hike for the ZP and panchayat members and the status of the objections and suggestions invited by the office of Panchayat Director pertaining to the changes effected in the gram sabha agenda.
Goa PRIs convenor J Santano Rodrigues pointed out that the outgoing panchayat director Ajit Panchwadkar had set in motion the process to take these issues to the logical conclusion, nothing has been heard on these issues in recent weeks.
“The panchayat bodies have been eager to know about the ODF scheme and the role to be played by the panchayats under the Swachh Bharat mission,”
he said.
He further pointed out that the outgoing panchayat director had publicly announced that the government would notify the return of the Block Advisory Committees at the taluka level.
“We had welcomed the return of the BACs at the taluka level. And, we demand that the new Panchayat Director Rajan Sattardekar notifies the BACs and hold early election for the simple reason that the election code of conduct may come into force anytime in January,” Santan added.
As far as the objections and suggestions invited by the office of the Director of Panchayats vis-Ã -vis the dropping of the ‘Any Other Business’ from the gram sabha agenda, Santan said the panchayat director should place before the people the status of these objections and the government decision on the matter.
