Team Herald
PANJIM: An all-party delegation headed by Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and MLA Vijai Sardesai on Saturday met Governor P S Pillai and appealed to him to rescind his decision giving assent to the amendment to Goa Municipalities Act.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, they stated that the promulgation of an ordinance to the Goa Municipalities Act was against the norms of democracy and has shocked the conscience of the people of Goa, who believe in the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of India.
“The hurried manner in which the government went about bringing in the amendment through the Ordinance route is deplorable as being inconsistent with Article 213 of the Constitution. In this particular case, it appears that the office of the Raj Bhavan has failed to place before Your Excellency. Had there been proper application of mind by the office, we are sure, Your Excellency would have been satisfied that no circumstances existed which rendered it necessary for Your Excellency to take immediate action,” the memorandum stated.
This particular Ordinance has struck the core of the functioning of the grassroots democratic institutions of governance in the State. The amendment while being bad in law is meant to serve the interest of one person and his political party. By no stretch of imagination can it be considered as being made in `public interest’ under exceptional circumstances that require immediate action, they said.
Referring to the Governor travelling across the State as part of his “Goa Swayampurna Yatra” to learn about life in Goa and connect with the local elected representatives, the memorandum said, “You have stated that `the people are supreme’ in a democracy and it gives me immense pleasure to serve the people of Goa.” Today, your voice is vital in order to protect democracy in the State, especially grassroot democracy, and serve the people of Goa, they said.
NCP State president Jose Philip D’Souza, Congress Professionals president Elvis Gomes and former Margao chairpersons Savio Coutinho and Lyndon Pereira were also part of the delegation.
