They demanded that the government unveil the proposed Amendments before the people for debate and discussions before the bringing the Amendments in the House.
Rachol Sarpanch Joseph Vaz, who is the vice-president of the All Goa Panchayat Democratic Forum said the government’s move has left the Sarpanchas and Panchayat members a confused lot. “We read in the media about the government’s move to amend the Panchayati Raj Act. But, we are at a loss of understand what exactly the government wants to Amend,” he said.
Vazo said the government should in the interest of transparency and fair play place before the people of Goa the proposed Amendments for discussions. “Let t there be a free and frank debate on the proposed Amendments. Let the government bring about the Amendments in a transparent manner”, he said.
Ex-Curtorim deputy Sarpanch J Santano Rodrigues, who heads the Goa PRI Forum, asserted that the BJP had never stated in its agenda to hold elections to the panchayats on political party symbol. “Elections on political parties symbol will be an end to Gaonkarpon as it would only vest the power in the hands of the political bosses. The people of Goa will not allow this dream of MLAs to succeed. Let them pass a Law in the Assembly and we will pass resolution against it in the people’s gram sabha,” he said.
Santano said the government’s move to hold the Panchayat polls on party symbol is an attempt to select the sarpanch of their choice and not to elect the sarpanch of people’s choice. “One must question the Panchayat Minister whether during his tour of the talukas, any member had suggested Panchayat poll on party lines”, he questioned.
Meanwhile, the Goans for Goa has strongly warned the government on making unnecessary amendments to the Panchayat Raj Act, and advises the general public to be vigilant, as the bill that the govt is seeking to pass in the house, is not in favour of Goa and genuine Goans at large.
It is learnt that the govt is trying to make amendments on the way Gram Sabhas are conducted in Goa, and warns the govt that any move to undermine the powers of the Gram Sabhas, will be met with resistance. GFG convenor Kennedy Afonso has warned of an agitation across the State.
