MARGAO
Questioning the government interference in matters such as light, water and roads contrary to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, a melava of Salcete Sarpanchas on Saturday have resolved to fight for the rights of the grass root Panchayat bodies and devolution of powers as envisaged under the Constitution.
Sarpanchas as well as panchayat representatives lamented that the Panchayat have no powers in even small matters such as repairs to street lights and roads. They have questioned the rationale behind approaching the government departments even for minor works when they all fall in the domain of the Panchayat bodies under the Constitutional Amendment.
The melava has resolved to call for an all Goa conclave of Panchayat representatives with the sole objective of fighting for the rights of these grass-root bodies envisaged under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
Bureaucrat-turned-politician Elvis Gomes, who was invited as the resource person, guided the Sarpanchas and panch members how to go about in exercising their rights.
Gomes demanded to know why should the Panchayats beg with the government for certain works when the 73rd Amendment has granted them powers to execute the job.
He said former Prime Minister later Rajiv Gandhi had brought the historic 73rd Constitutional Amendment to devolve powers to the grass-root bodies, but the ground has not changed for the better in the last 40 years.
“I have pointed out to the sarpanchas and panchayat representatives what they are doing for the moment and what they are supposed to do as per the Constitutional Amendment,” he said.
