The Panchayat Minister deserves appreciation for reminding village panchayats of their statutory duty to hold gram sabhas and proposing action against those that repeatedly fail to do so. However, the real challenge is not merely conducting meetings but ensuring that their decisions are implemented. Across Goa, gram sabhas are increasingly reduced to a legal formality. Villagers raise genuine concerns, resolutions are passed, and suggestions are recorded, yet little action follows. The Panchayat Department should monitor the implementation of gram sabha resolutions through periodic reviews and hold panchayats accountable when they ignore decisions without valid reasons. Equally worrying is the tendency of some panchayats to prioritise development over the needs of residents. Building permissions are often granted despite inadequate roads, water shortages, overburdened electricity networks, poor drainage, and environmental concerns. Gram Sabhas exist to address issues affecting everyday life and safeguard a village's character, not merely endorse unchecked development.Grassroots democracy cannot thrive if people's voices are heard but ignored. Gram sabhas must become effective instruments of transparent, accountable, and participatory governance, not empty statutory rituals.
EVARISTO FERNANDES, Merces
