PANJIM: The State government’s bid to “postpone” panchayat elections by three months after monsoon season has evoked sharp reactions from the general public.
It is pertinent to note the elections to 186 village panchayats, which were due next month, almost stand postponed for three months and will now be held, after the monsoon. Though the final decision lies with the State Election Commission (SEC), the government has decided to appoint administrators to look into the affairs of the panchayats, as the term of existing bodies ends on June 19.
“The term of panchayats will end in June. Postponing elections and the government’s decision to appoint administrators is bad. The SEC should not accept this decision. The Supreme Court has mandated a triple test. If the government doesn’t hold a triple test then as per the law it should go ahead with the elections even without Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation. If the SEC approves this decision then I will file a petition in the High Court seeking immediate conduct of the elections,” Sudip Tahmankar said.
Usgao resident, Vinod Naik has requested the government to keep the wards reserved for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) without making any changes.
Rumdamol-Davorlim Sarpanch Vinayak Volvoikar said, “If the elections get delayed then the panchayat will be dissolved. A lot of work is pending. The reservations should be kept as per the earlier provisions. I request the Election Commission of India to conduct the elections at least by next month or appoint an administrator, who is known to the masses so that the people can avail facilities from the panchayat and ensure that no work is kept pending in case the panchayat is dissolved.”
Calangute youth Valerio Rodrigues questioned what will happen to the panchayat once term of the panchayats ends next month. It is high time the SEC should announce the elections at the earliest as it will definitely affect the villages of Goa if the polls are postponed.
It may be recalled that on Wednesday Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had said, “The government has decided to postpone the elections and have it after three months due to monsoons. We have also decided to appoint an administrator for the panchayat.”
Reacting to government’s decision to appoint administrators for 186 village panchayats after end of the term, Leader of the Opposition Michael Lobo said that the government should issue a special order appointing sarpanchas or panchayat secretaries or Taluka BDOs as administrators for the convenience of the people.
“The people visiting village panchayats should not face difficulty and they should get their work done.”
