FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
There is no power given to ZP members in Goa. For several years now, we have been demanding for powers. Compared to other States, Goa is small due to which, it is also questionable whether ZP members will get powers or not. A State level Committee was also formed to work on this but the actual working done by the committee did not last for too long. ZP members utilise whatever fund that is granted to them
— Arun Bankar,
Arambol ex-ZP member
There are no powers as such with the ZP member. Even the panchayat has power but not the ZP members. Duty of the ZP member is to utilise the funds, that too with restricted development
— Sanisha Toraskar,
Siolim ex-ZP member
Work of the ZP member is to utilise the fund otherwise ZP has zero powers. We have been demanding for powers similar to other States such as Maharashtra but till date it has not done. There are different sectors such as health, infrastructure and others, under which the ZP member can work
— Shridhar Mandrekar,
Mandrem ex-ZP member
The ZP member post is just for namesake. The existence of ZP members is only so that the members get their monthly salary; the 1.25 crore fund, which has to be utilised for development of five panchayats; and the two study tours. You can’t even compare the working power of ZP members of Goa to that of ZP members of other States
— Tukaram Harmalkar,
Dhargal ex-ZP member
There are no powers to ZP members. Literally, zero power. We had demanded power be devolved to us and the government had even given assurance for the same but till date it has not been done. ZP members have zero power
— Ramesh Sawal,
Torxem ex-ZP member
No Government has the political will to give the powers to the ZPs. We went to the court, courted arrest for powers to the ZP, but still there hasn’t been any change. But the MLAs are scared of giving power as they are scared of their own shadow. It was a struggle for us and after that entire struggle, if they still don't give us the powers, then they should rather scrap the ZP system
— Nelly Rodrigues,
Former Chairperson South Goa ZP
We get funds. If we had got the Rural Development Agency (RDA) under the ZP administration, we could have done a lot of work like other States in the country. We had placed the demand for powers before the Chief Minister and going by his assurance, we will hope that we get desired powers for ZP members/bodies
— Ulhas Tuenkar,
Davorlim ex-ZP member
They (successive governments) haven't devolved powers to the Zilla Parishad till date. What we got after fighting for the last 20 years is only some funds but no powers as per the 73rd and 74th amendment. Other states have Primary Health Centres, village level schools under the Zilla Parishad but in Goa there is nothing that the ZP members can do for their electorate
— Maria Rebello,
Benaulim ex-ZP member
ZP has not being given the desired powers. There are so many good things that ZP members can do for the 5 villages that fall under their electorate. We can do small works but if there were power given and funds allocated to the ZP, then members could have done great work for the people
— Edwin Cardozo,
Navelim ex-ZP member
There is no specific power given to us. During my last year tenure, each member got around Rs 2.75 lakhs to undertake developmental activities in their respective jurisdictions
— Suvarna Tendulkar,
Sanvordem ex-ZP member
ZP members have got powers to take up some developmental works in their area by utilising funds. Some public utility projects such as setting up gymnasiums, beautification of children parks, anganwadis, purchasing electrical equipment for public utility and other such works could be taken up by the ZP members
— Marian Rodrigues,
Sancoale ex-ZP member
Power of ZP members is to utilise ZP funds to take up supportive public works and developmental works such as building sheds for the public; carrying out minor repair works of the projects; promoting and seeing that various government schemes are implemented properly for the benefit of the villagers; amongst other initiatives
— Antonio Vas,
Cortalim ex-ZP member
ZP member is a nominal head who has no executive powers. The only power is being able to spend for development purposes such as beautification of children parks etc. However, it is the Directorate of Panchayats that executes the works of ZP members, which includes the tendering process. Other factors are also taken into consideration like the approval or resolutions from panchayat bodies and it getting passed by PWD. During my tenure, around Rs 1 crore worth of development works was done
— Meenakshi Gaonkar,
Guirdolim ex-ZP member
Mostly the ZP member is powerless as the power and work depends on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Zilla Panchayat body. Under the CEO’s guidance, development work funds are released to the Zilla parishad and then separated and distributed between the ZP members. In the end, the Sarpanch of the village panchayat has more powers than ZP members.
— Shanu Velip,
Khola ex-ZP member
As ZP members, we only have the power to do development works and that also to do work under some special schemes. We can only provide assistance within our respective jurisdiction and that too within our limits. Mostly, the powers for ZP members is for utilizing the funds given to us for constructing drainages, Anganwadis, sheds, halls etc. During my tenure, around Rs 2 crore worth of development works was done
— Khushali Velip,
Barcem ex-ZP member
The government has not delegated any power to us except that we can issue a tender for the development work estimated upto Rs.15 lakhs and not more than that. The post of Sarpanch of any village panchayats in Goa is far more superior to that of ZP members. Further, all the decision making of the ZP depends on the approval from the Directorate of Panchayat for any development works. This also has to be passed in the general body meeting of the Zilla Parishad. In our tenure, around Rs 2 crore of development works was done in the form of roads, pavers, sheds for temples, temples and sound system etc
— Hazel Fernandes,
Xeldem ex-ZP member
