TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: Poinguinim ZP member Daya Tuko Pagi and Sudip Tamankar have submitted a representation to the Governor and the government, opposing the notification of ordinance for amendment to the Goa Panchayat Raj Act and draft rules to hold ZP elections on political party lines.
In a joint letter also addressed to the State through Chief Secretary and Director of Panchayats, Pagi and Tamankar have objected to the notifications dated February 3 and 5 for bringing in an ordinance to amend the Goa Panchayat Raj Act and draft rules to amend Goa Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat (election procedure) Rules 1996. They alleged that the notifications are illegal and an attempt to destroy Panchayat Raj Act and all the panchayats/ZPs in Goa for political motive.
“I bring to your notice that the Goa Panchayat Raj Act was enacted in 1994 after the 73rd amendment to the Constitution of India. As per this amendment, the object of the provision was to strengthen the panchayats. In terms of these amendments, these bodies cannot be under political parties,” stated the objection.
“Now Section 133A is sought to be amended stating that the members seeking election for ZP shall be candidates sponsored by political parties as defined under Section 16A of Section 2 of the Act.
