15 Aug 2022  |   06:47am IST

P’yat forum demands devolution of powers

“The devolution of powers is our right as mandated in the Panchayat Act and it is required to make the panchayat, the grassroots body stronger,” said AGPDF General Secretary Joseph Vaz

Team Herald

MARGAO: The All Goa Panchayat Democratic Forum (AGPDF) has urged the State government to stick to its election promise at the time of the State Assembly elections and devolve powers to the local panchayat bodies.

AGPDF General Secretary Joseph Vaz

 said that successive governments have failed to stick to their assurances regarding the devolution of powers, funds and functions under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act under the 73rd and 74th Amendments.

Vaz, who has been elected for a record seventh term in the Rachol Village Panchayat, pointed out that this issue has hampered the success of panchayats in Goa since the inception of the panchayats in Goa and the flawed implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act in the State.

Vaz, who is set to become Sarpanch of the Rachol Village Panchayat given that he enjoys the support of two fellow panchas Milagres Fernandes and Quiteria Fernandes in the five-member panchayat body said, “Without the devolution of powers, all the panchayats in Goa will continue to suffer as they have done so in the past.”

“The devolution of powers is our right as mandated in the Panchayat Act and it is required to make the panchayat, the grassroots body stronger,” Vaz said.