Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has raised its strong objection to the State government’s decision to amend Goa Panchayati Raj Act to allow MLAs and Zilla Panchayat members to participate in Gram Sabha, terming it as “non constitutional”.
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Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho last week announced that three major amendments to the Act will be introduced during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the State Legislative Assembly, which includes issue of waste management in panchayat, MLAs and ZP member participation in Gram Sabha and to rationalise house and commercial tax.
The one-day Monsoon Session is scheduled on July 27.
Addressing the media persons on Monday, GPCC Spokesperson Agnelo Fernandes said that the government decision is “non constitutional” and will be opposed strongly.
He said that the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments were introduced to give powers to grassroot bodies to decide development and other works related to their villages. “Participation of MLAs will not serve the sole purpose,” he said.
Former MLA said that the government’s move is basically to enforce its high-end and anti-people decisions and policies on the public.
“The government is going on a dictatorial path. They want to create fear in the minds of people. The move is a sole defeat of the Constitution,” he charged.
Fernandes said that GPCC will urge the Congress Legislative wing to object to the amendments in the Assembly.
