MARGAO: The Goa Panchayat Raj Institutions Union has called for devolution of powers to the Panchayat Raj institutions in the State and restoration of the executive powers of sarpanchas being the head of the village.
In a memorandum submitted to the panchayat minister, the Union has demanded that the government promote overall planned development, planning and socio-economic activities at the village and district level in matters of common interest between the zilla panchayats and gram panchayats as per Article 243ZD of the Constitution of India.
Questioning the delay in the implementation of the State Finance Commission reports, the Union has demanded creation of a separate panchayat window in the State budget.
Union Convenor J Santan Rodrigues told the media that the government has been requested to constitute the Block Advisory Committees and work towards the restoration of executive powers of village sarpanchas. “The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India clearly lays down the guidelines for devolution of powers to the village panchayat bodies as per the provisions in the Panchayat Law. Not only it is not done but further, even powers that were bestowed on the panchayat institutions are being withdrawn gradually as per the whims of vested interests in the government,” he said.
He recalled that the second Finance Commission has made suitable recommendations for devolution of funds. “Today, the village panchayats are starved of funds and are unable to do even the bare minimum to mitigate the hardships faced by the villagers much less even pay the salaries of its staff,”
he asserted.
The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India clearly lays down the guidelines for devolution of powers to the village panchayat bodies as per the provisions in the Panchayat Law. This has not been done by the government.
— J Santan Rodrigues
Union Convenor
