MARGAO: The monthly meeting of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat was boycotted by 10 of the 19 panchas on Monday. Most of the panchas who boycotted the meet are from the opposition and claim that the South ZP has been consistently ignored by successive governments. The ZP has been asking for increased funds and staff, like assistant and executive engineers, since the new committee assumed office. South ZP president Navnath Naik said that Panchayat Minister Rajendra Arlekar is due to visit the South Goa Collectorate on Wednesday and the ZP will have an interaction with him on the issues. “We need to have some patience and first place our demands before the new panchayat minister. We can come on the roads to fight for our right, but nothing positive can happen by leaving the business of the ZP half-done by boycotting the meet,” said Naik, adding, “Arlekar will also discuss the handing over of Rural Development Agency to the ZPs at the meeting.”
ZP member Nelly Rodrigues said, “There is no benefit by having a meeting as nothing is happening. We will wait for one more day and see what will happen in the meeting on Wednesday. The members are totally frustrated as lack of funds and proper staff have rendered the ZP useless.”
ZP member Clafasio Dias stated that nine months had passed, but their demands have not even been looked at. He also alleged that the Congress government had left the matter hanging for years and now, the BJP government was doing the same.
