WHAT THEY SAID
J Santan Rodrigues
(Convenor of Goa Panchayati Raj Institutions)
If the government is really serious in empowering the Panchayat bodies, they should implement the provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in letter and spirit
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Joseph Vaz
(All Goa Panchayat Democratic Forum general secretary)
There’s no harm on the part of the Sarpanch to allow discussion on any subject with a provision that the Panchayat refer the matter to the competent authority for resolution
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Xavier Fernandes
(Member of the Salcete panchayat Forum)
Govt should stay away from effecting any changes to the gram sabha. The local government cannot enact rules which will override the clear cut provisions in the Constitution
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Nelly Rodrigues
(President of Goa Panchayat Mahila Abhiyan)
There may be complaints of misuse of the any other matter at the gram sabhas, and this can be taken care of by adequate provision. The government cannot silence the voice of the people
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MARGAO: A storm appears brewing in the state’s countryside on the government’s move to bar “any other matter” at the village gram sabhas which came in for severe flak, with members of local panchayat raj institutions saying the Sarpanch being a village head should be left with the discretion to take up for discussion any issue of village or public interest in addition to the set agenda, warning that any dilution in the powers would be akin to encroachment of powers of the panchayats by the government.
Convenor of Goa Panchayati Raj Institutions, J Santan Rodrigues said that village Panchayats are like “Republics” and “Grass-root self-government institutions” and the government should stay away from interfering in these local bodies. He said if the government is really serious in empowering the Panchayat bodies, they should implement the provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in letter and spirit. “Otherwise, we will conclude that the government is bringing a bar on raising any other matter at the gram sabha with malafide and vested interest”, Santan said.
“Why is the government not devolving powers to the Panchayat raj Institutions. Why is the 2nd Finance Commission report which was based on Activity mapping not implemented till date. Why are the District Planning Committees (DPCs) not supported by the government to prepare the district plan”, Santan questioned,
Former Sarpanch and All Goa Panchayat Democratic Forum general secretary, Joseph Vaz said the government should desist from making any attempt to encroach upon the powers of the sarpanch. “All along, the Sarpanch used to exercise his discretion when any issue was brought at the gram sabha despite not being listed on the agenda. I see no reason why the government should take away this discretion. There’s no harm on the part of the Sarpanch to allow discussion on any subject with a provision that the Panchayat refer the matter to the competent authority for resolution”, Joseph said.
Former Raia Sarpanch and member of the Salcete panchayat Forum, Xavier Fernandes said the government should stay miles away from effecting any changes to the gram sbaha. “Article 243 G,H and I of the Indian Constitution provides for discussions on a wide ranging subjects. The local government cannot enact rules which will override the clear cut provisions in the Constitution”, Xavier said.
Former South Goa Zilla Chairperson and president of Goa Panchayat Mahila Abhiyan Nelly Rodrigues reminded the government that in a participatory democracy, the people are bound to raise issues of public and village interest. There may be complaints of misuse of the any other matter at the gram sabhas, and this can be taken care of by adequate provision. But, one thing is clear that the government cannot silence the voice of the people in a participatory democracy”, Nelly asserted.
Most of the gram sabhas in Salcete countryside has already opposed the government circular which was circulated by the government in the wake of the gram sabhas adopting resolutions after resolutions against nationalization of rivers and coal transportation.
Many an eyebrow has been raised again as the government has now moved to amend the Goa Panchayats (gram sabha meetings) rules, 1996, seeking to bar discussion on issues not listed in the set agenda.
