MARGAO
Is there any hope for the devolution of powers to the district Zilla Panchayats and the grassroot panchayat bodies under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment when the new government assumes power after March 11?
Everyone seems keeping their fingers crossed, with successive governments in the past only paying lip services on the question of arming the grassroot self-government bodies with powers and functions under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
That’s not all. The election manifestos of major political parties and players have been virtually silent on the question of devolution of powers and functions to the Panchayati Raj Institutions under the Constitutional Amendment.
What’s significant to note is that more over half a dozen serving Zilla Panchayat members, former ZP chairpersons, former Sarpanchas and sitting panchas are all in the 2017 election fray, raising questions whether they would contribute their bit to the devolution of powers and functions to the Panchayati Raj institutions if elected to power.
Says former South Goa ZP chairperson and four time Colva ZP member Nelly Rodrigues, who is contesting from the Cortalim Assembly constituency: “Definitely, I will try my best to push the government in power to devolve powers to the district panchayat bodies and the village panchayats. Powers and functions to the Zilla Panchayat have been long overdue. If elected, I will certainly take up the issue with the government in power."
Says Convenor of Goa Panchayati Raj Institutions Union, J Santano Rodrigues: “There’s indeed a ray of hope as well as fear. Hope because so many Zilla Panchayat members, former Chairpersons and former Sarpanchas are contesting the 2017 Assembly election. And, fear because though many a Zilla Panchayat members had made it to the Legislative Assembly in the past, the ground reality has not changed for the better for the Panchayati Raj institutions till date."
A former ZP member and Curtorim Panch member, Santan blamed successive governments for the sorry state of affairs of the Zilla Panchayats and the Panchayat bodies. “We are not asking for any favour with the government in power. Our only plea is please implement the recommendations of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and devolve all powers and functions to the grassroot bodies," Santan asserted.
Demanding to know the fate of the IInd Finance Commission recommendations for devolution of funds, he said the Panchayat bodies are starved of funds and cannot even execute bare minimum functions for want of funds. “It’s now 17 long years since the district Zilla Panchayats were constituted with much fanfare way back in 2000, but can any government outline the powers devolved to these district Panchayat bodies other than providing salary and development grant," Santan questioned.
Around six South Goa Zilla Panchayat members, including Nelly Rodrigues, Mariano Rodrigues, Anthony Vaz, Wilfred D’Sa, Clafacio Dias and Maria Rebello are contesting the 2017 election, besides former North Goa ZP Chairperson Jayesh Salgaokar and others.
Amongst others, those former Zilla Panchayat members, who had made it to the Legislative Assembly in the past, included late Matanhy Saldanha, Babu Kavlekar, Reginaldo Lourenco, Michael Lobo, Pandurang Madkaikar and Jennifer Monserrate.
