TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The two-day visit of the Fourteenth Finance Commission, beginning from Tuesday, has kicked up a row of sorts with sarpanchas from Salcete claiming that the state government has neglected them by not inviting them for the interactive session.
Angry sarpanchas said they do not figure in the interactive session arranged by the state government between the Commission and representatives of local bodies at Hotel Goa Marriot, Panjim, on January 29. Says Raia Sarpanch and President of Salcete Sarpanchas Forum Xavier Fernandes: “We fail to understand why the government has not invited sarpanchas from Salcete for the interactive session. The Fourteenth Finance Commission is set up every five years under Article 280 of the Constitution to decide the share of central taxes and other grants to be devolved to the state”.
Deputy Sarpanch J Santano Rodrigues echoed similar sentiments, saying the government should not have sent the invites only for a selected few. “We are surprised that why sarpanchas were not allowed to call on the Commission and place their views and their experience concerning devolution of funds”, Santano said.
When Herald contacted Salcete Block Development Officer, Manuel Barretto, he feigned ignorance about receiving any communication from the panchayat authorities on the interaction. Interestingly, Director of Panchayats, Narayan Sawant, said that the invitations for the interactive session have been issued by the finance department and that his department has no role to play.
According to information, South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Nelly Rodrigues is one of the prominent invitees, but the Curtorim deputy sarpanch wondered why the village sarpanch was ignored by the state government when the panchayats occupy an important position in the panchayati raj system.
After hearing the stakeholders across the country, the Commission will make recommendations regarding the sharing of Union taxes, principles governing grant-in-aid and transfer of resources to local bodies for the period 2015-20.
The invitations for the interactive session have been issued by the finance department and my department has no role to play
— Director of Panchayats Narayan Sawant
We fail to understand why the govt has not invited sarpanchas from Salcete for the interactive session with the Fourteenth Finance Commission, which is set up every five years under Article 280 of the Constitution to decide the share of central taxes and other grants to be devolved to the state
— President of Salcete Sarpanchas Forum Xavier Fernandes
