MARGAO
In an interesting development, the Goa Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRI) Union has decided to seek the support of Gram Sabha meetings to demand full devolution of powers to Panchayats and village-level institutions.
Goa PRI Union Convenor J Santan Rodrigues told the media that the Union has decided to request village Gram Sabhas to support the demand for devolution of powers to the grassroots.
He said the Goa PRI Union is taking up the demand for full devolution of powers to Panchayats and village-level institutions with the State government and other authorities.
“As per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, real power for planning, funds and functionaries must come to the Gram Sabhas and Panchayats,” he said.
He added, “With the support of village Gram Sabhas, the Goa PRIs will urge the government to immediately devolve the 29 subjects listed in the 11th Schedule to Panchayats, along with matching funds and staff. Let us strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.”
An ex-Zilla Panchayat member and a member of the Curtorim Village Panchayat, Rodrigues was the guiding force behind the petition filed in the High Court seeking directions to the government for devolution of powers to Zilla Panchayats and village Panchayats.
He told the media that the time had come to initiate a movement for devolution of powers to the grassroots as per the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. “We need a major movement from the grassroots to force the government to devolve powers and functions to village Panchayats. The Goa PRI Union has taken the initiative in that direction,” he added.
