GPRI for measures to augment District Planning Committee

MARGAO: The Goa Panchayati Raj Institutions (GPRI) has called for various measures to augment the District Planning Committee (DPC) and make it more relevant to village panchayats. GPRI Convenor, J Santan Rodrigues, outlined several steps to effectively implement Article 243ZD and establish a robust DPC in Goa.

Rodrigues stressed the need for a government notification to constitute the DPC, followed by the appointment of members from district-level panchayats and municipalities, ensuring proportional representation. 

He emphasised the importance of clearly defining roles and responsibilities for the committee and its members. 

“The Committee must be empowered with necessary authority to prepare and consolidate plans,” Rodrigues said adding that “Adequate resources, including funding and infrastructure, should be allocated to support its functioning.”

The GPRI convenor highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement, encouraging active participation from citizens, civil society organisations, and local self-governance bodies. 

He recommended providing training and capacity-building programmes for committee members and staff to ensure effective planning and implementation. 

Rodrigues suggested establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress and ensure accountability, noting that these steps would lead to more inclusive and sustainable development in the State.

Rodrigues pointed out that it appears to exist only on paper, lacking effective constitution and empowerment to perform its functions.  “While the committee may exist legally, it lacks the necessary resources, authority, and active membership to prepare and implement a meaningful development plan,” he said and proposed activating the committee by appointing dedicated members, providing necessary resources and infrastructure.

He urged that the committee be empowered to make decisions and take actions.

“By implementing these measures, we can revitalise the DPC in Goa, enabling it to play a vital role in shaping the district’s development trajectory,” Rodrigues added. 

He emphasised that these steps are crucial for transforming the DPC from a mere formality into an effective instrument for local governance and development planning.