the goan I network
OLD GOA
Against the backdrop of a memorandum by the Director of Panchayats taking away the powers of issuing licences and occupancy certificates, several panchayat representatives met at the Corlim panchayat hall on Sunday to discuss and deliberate on the future course of action.
Present at the meeting were Corlim sarpanch Shiva Naik, Se Old Goa sarpanch Janita Madkaikar, Carambolim sarpanch Uttam Murgaonkar, Chimbel sarpanch Chandrakant Kunkolkar, Chimbel deputy sarpanch Manisha Chopdekar, and panchas from Marcel, Tivim, Corlim, Chimbel, Merces and other panchayats.
Speaking on the occasion, former Rachol sarpanch and current panch Joseph Vaz explained how the memorandum goes against the 73rd amendment of the Constitution which gives powers for issuing licences and occupancy certificates to the panchayats.
“The memorandum states that licences and occupancy certificates for projects beyond ground plus one floor will be issued by the BDOs,” Vaz informed while calling the memorandum bad in law as neither an amendment has been made to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act nor any changes have been made to the building rules which bestow the powers of issuing licences and occupancy certificates to the panchayats.
“Before an amendment is brought in the Act to take away panchayat powers, we should all unite and submit a memorandum to the chief minister, panchayat minister, chief secretary and the panchayats secretary highlighting objection to the same,” Vaz pointed out while urging the panchayats to pass a resolution to this effect at their fortnightly meeting and send the same to the ministers and authorities concerned.
“As it is, full powers have still not been devolved to the panchayat under the 73rd Amendment and now the government is trying to take away whatever little powers the panchayats have,” he further added while stating that the government will take the panchayats for granted until and unless the panchayat representatives raise their voice against the move of the government.
“If an amendment is brought in the Act giving powers to the BDO, then panchayats will lose revenue and the government will collect money directly from the builders,” Vaz opined and stated that development of villages will be affected.
“We have to oppose the proposed amendment. We cannot allow our powers to be taken away. If we remain united, we can force the government to listen to us,” he added.
Replying to a question that the memorandum has been issued due to the failure of the panchayats to deal with the garbage issue, Vaz stated that majority of the panchayats are involved in collection and disposal of garbage.
“There are some panchayats who have failed on the garbage front. But just because of a few, you cannot punish all,” he stated.
Speaking out heavily against the memorandum, Corlim sarpanch Shiva Naik said that for such directives a law has to be passed in the Assembly. “Before that such orders cannot be issued,” he opined.
Rachol panch demands hike in salary, pension to members
OLD GOA :Calling for a hike in the salary of sarpanchas, deputy sarpanchas and panchas, former Rachol sarpanch and current panch Joseph Vaz stated that the current salary is not enough to meet even the basic needs.
“The MLAs are getting a fat salary along with numerous staff and various other facilities. What does the sarpanch, deputy sarpanch and panch earn?” he questioned while demanding that the salary of a sarpanch should be hiked to Rs 15000, deputy sarpanch to Rs 12000 and that of a panch to Rs 10000.
“If an MLA remains in office for two years, he/she is entitled for pension. But the panchas who get elected for multiple terms are not entitled for the same,” Vaz informed while questioning the discrimination against the elected members of the panchayats.
