MARGAO
Days after the South Goa ZP passed a resolution demanding devolution of powers to Zilla Panchayats or scrapping them as an alternative, South Goa ZP Chairperson Navnath Naik said the government should scale down the number of MLAs from their present number of 40 to 30 instead of dissolving the ZPs by considering the latter as a burden on the government.
Addressing a press conference, Naik said the ZPs have been in existence over the past 17 years and have undertaken various developmental works in the interest of the people. Naik claimed that it is difficult to undertake comprehensive development in all the panchayats in the ZP constituencies given the limited funds and powers devolved by the government to the ZPs. “This is why we demanded that subjects like minor irrigation works, primary education, etc be given to ZPs,” he remarked, stating that ZP members are also elected by the people and due importance has to be given to them. He expressed the hope that the government will fulfill their demands.
Speaking at the press conference, ZP member Jaideep Shirodkar, said scrapping of ZPs will be in disregard of the SC verdict where these elected bodies have been constituted as per the tenets of the Constitution. “The ZPs are working efficiently and many ZP members have been elected MLAs over many years,” he remarked, demanding that 10% of the powers of the MLAs be delegated to the ZPs.
ZP member Nelly Rodrigues reminded the government that even the past ZP members had demanded the scrapping of ZPs. “Irrespective of the government in power, the ground reality is the same as far as powers to ZPs are concerned. If no powers are given to ZPs, then it is better to scrap them,” she said, claiming that ZP elections held on party lines were conducted with the aim of devolving more powers to ZPs.
“I don’t think they will give more powers. We will wait for six months before taking the ultimate decision,”
Naik quipped.
