MARGAO
South Goa Zilla Panchayat Vice-Chairperson Kushali Velip on Wednesday said though the district panchayat had received government funds for development, the ZPs are yet to get the powers enshrined in the Constitution and neither were the government authorities following protocol for ZP members.
Kushali, who has decided to step down from office upon the party’s diktat, after presiding over the position for the last three years and half, told the media that many ministers and MLAs say the zilla panchayat is not feasible in the State because of the fear that the ZP members will rise to become MLAs.
“The zilla panchayat has started receiving government funds and funds under the Finance Commission. But the power enshrined under the Constitution is yet to flow to the district panchayat body. Even a village sarpanch enjoys the power and status vis-Ã -vis government protocols. But, the ZP members enjoy no such protocol,” he added.
Reminding that the zilla panchayats are required to usher in the development of the rural villages, Kushali said, “Just because some ministers and MLAs do not want the Zilla Panchayat to exist, they cannot be scrapped. Maybe these Ministers and MLAs are opposed to the ZP since they fear the ZP members as a threat to their political career.”
