Team Herald
PANJIM: Congress on Monday demanded immediate withdrawal of the circular issued by Directorate of Panchayats with regards to issuance of construction and occupancy licences within their jurisdiction.
The demand comes despite Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho denying the allegations from panchayats that their powers have been taken away.
Goa Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sanghatan affiliated to the Congress on Monday held meeting with the elected panchayat members, which was chaired by Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar.
During the meeting, Kamat expressed the apprehension that such circular will kill the sole base of Panchayati Raj Act and hence needs to be opposed strongly.
He urged the local elected representatives to be united and fight demanding withdrawal of circular.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Tulio D’Souza said through the circular, government has murdered the self-governance under Panchayat Raj.
He said the 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitution gave greater autonomy to the panchayats but today unfortunately, this government has decided to kill self-governance.
Tulio charged that under the garb of garbage, the government has taken away all the powers of the panchayat.
The Directorate of Panchayats had recently laid down restrictions on the issuance of construction licences and occupancy certificates to multi-dwelling and commercial projects in panchayat jurisdictions until the panchayats comply with Solid and Liquid Waste Management Rules.
The government had clarified that directions have been issued following matter before High Court and NGT.
Chairman of Goa Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sanghatan Joseph Sequeira said lot of injustice is done by present government endangering future of panchayats in Goa. He urged the members to pressurise the government to withdraw the circular.
