MARGAO
Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Thursday batted for Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of Gram Swaraj, reminding that the Father of the Nation had mooted the concept to ensure the country is under the supremacy of the villagers, empower the people living in the villages through village industries, agricultural operations and ensure their happiness.
The governor publicly rooted for Gram Swaraj after the Sarpanch of Camurlim Basil Fernandes drew his attention that the local self-governing bodies in the State have still not received all the subjects, powers and functions envisaged under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
“Somebody spoke about the 73rd and 74the Constitutional Amendments. I would like to say that the concept of Gandhiji during the time of freedom struggle in the 30s and 40s was centred on Gram Swaraj. Gram means people are the supreme in certain areas and Swaraj means Republic type which will deal with village industries, agricultural operations and ensure happiness of the village people,” he said.
He added: “When the British bid farewell to us, everybody was celebrating freedom. Gandhiji, the champion of the freedom struggle, was in Bengal with the village people. Gandhiji preferred that India should be under the supremacy of the villagers. Our Constitution is committed to the people of India, especially the villagers. That’s why I have been travelling in the villages of Goa to interact with the villagers and understand their issues and problems.”
Governor Sreedharan, however, pointed out that he has to address the problems within his limits, reminding that a governor is a nominated person, unlike the elected representatives, who are elected by the people and enjoy the mandate of the people.
“I will try to solve your problems within my limits. I will put in maximum effort to address your issues. Your grievances will be placed before the State Ministry as well as the Union Ministry,” he said.
The Governor on Thursday addressed representatives of the panchayats of Curtorim, Raia, Camurlim and Rachol in Curtorim constituency in the presence of local Independent MLA Reginaldo Lourenco and citizens. He also visited the Rachol seminary.
Saying he has covered almost 95 per cent of the villages as part of his tour to the villages in the last 17 months, the Governor said he had taken the decision to distribute the discretionary funds, not for the Raj Bhavan, but to the needy people of the State to the dialysis and cancer patients and those in need.
In his plea to the Governor, Camurlim Sarpanch Basil Fernandes said the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments have been milestones in itself but added “unfortunately, the Amendments have not been implemented to give effect to the decentralisation of power at the local level.”
Saying the non-implementation of the Constitutional Amendments has held back the local administration from participating in the governance of the village, Basil made a fervent plea to the Governor to ensure that all the subjects envisaged under the Amendments are given to the Panchayats as per the Panchayat Raj Act.
