The topics taken up for discussions in gram sabhas, overall handling of these meetings, as well as their conclusions are all worrisome. When the 73rd Amendment was passed in 1992, the members of Parliament probably did not think that such things would ever take place at gram sabhas. The prime intention behind this amendment was decentralisation of power to strengthen village governing bodies. The objective has been technically successful but given the cracks and loopholes which has developed over the years, it would be a bold claim to call it a genuine success.
The incident which took place at Pernem’s Kasarwarne gram sabha is shameful. The topics which came up for the discussion in the meeting were not meant for gram sabhas. If one takes a look at the minutes of the meeting, it is evident that the meeting did not go as per gram sabha’s agenda. There were verbal spats after villagers did not get satisfactory answers to their questions. They even tried to lock up panchayat members when gram sabha was suspended. Thanks to the police who were already present at the site, they intervened and de-escalated the situation. In actuality, it is shameful for a panchayat member to be put in such a situation. There is no problem when gram sabhas go in accordance with the law, but more often than not, that is not the case. The government will have to think over this and come up with a resolution.
In Kasarwarne gram sabha, locals questioned newly elected sarpanch Avni Gaad why a bigger venue was not chosen for the meeting even though gram sabha took place at its usual venue. New to the post and unaware about the proceedings, sarpanch questioned whether the locals remembered of a bigger venue only when she was elected to the post. This aggravated the situation. Instead of asking the above question, the villagers could have suggested holding the next gram sabha at a bigger hall. Another issue revolved around the outdated website of the panchayat and lack of panchayat’s financial details on it. This is not a subject to argue but to be brought to the notice of the sarpanch.
Third matter was about locals employed at Mopa airport who are facing injustice without any faults of theirs. Villagers asked about the measures taken by the panchayat. However, this matter does not come under the jurisdiction of the panchayat. The issue is between workers and the management of Manohar International Airport. The respective workers are supposed to resolve the issue on their own using legal tools available to them, but people politicised the issue. Panchayat may or may not extend help to the workers but it is absolutely not fair to wreak havoc over it at a gram sabha. Gram sabhas cannot function like this.
In another incident, Khola gram sabha opposed a fishmeal project coming up in Barcem panchayat. How can a panchayat discuss an issue which does not come under their jurisdiction? Of course, Khola villagers must have opposed the project since they too will be affected by it. However, what if Barcem panchayat grants its approval to the project? It is indeed complicated. In such situations, panchayats must try to resolve the issues in cooperation with the local MLAs. Similarly, sometimes questions raised at gram sabhas are intended to take personal jibs, which only creates unnecessary tense situations. People who usually do not attend gram sabhas to discuss development-related issues will gather in throngs, whenever a sensational matter is up for discussion. This is not right.
There was a time when people were not attending gram sabhas. The Panchayat Raj system was brought into practice by keeping in mind that public participation is essential for the village’s development. And so, if people themselves are not going to participate in the process, then what is the purpose of the system? The situation has changed now. People do attend gram sabhas now, but bring up totally irrelevant issues to discuss. Keeping the sarpanch on the edge by passing personal comments, wreaking unnecessary havoc and raising unrelated matters have become far too common an occurrence. It seems as though the people themselves require training now. Training so that the people know which topics can be raised in a gram sabha and which topics cannot be raised. Such training programmes can be organised at taluka level. It indeed is a right of the people to raise issues concerning the village. Panchayat members present their agenda but also discuss matters suggested by villagers. These matters however will have to be within the context of the law and for that, the awareness through training programmes are required. The government should give it a thought.
