TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Opposing the government’s decision to hold Zilla Panchayat polls on party lines, the South Goa Zilla Panchayat on Tuesday called for increasing the number of assembly seats to 60 a la Arunachal Pradesh by scrapping the Zilla Panchayats.
The resolution tabled by South ZP Chairperson Nelly Rodrigues was passed by the body by thumping of desks, even as members felt that holding ZP election on party lines will negate the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
Moving the resolution, Nelly said having 50 ZiIlla Panchayats seats is of no use without functions and powers, while suggesting that the government scrap the Zilla Panchayats and instead increase the assembly seats to 60. “Arunachal Pradesh with less population than Goa has 60 Assembly seats. That state has neither Zilla Panchayats nor block committees. Similar arrangement can be made for Goa as well. Even some of the MLAs have promised to support the proposal,” she said.
Saying that successive governments have only paid lip service to the demand to devolve and powers to the ZPs as per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, Nelly said the Zilla Panchayat has only received marginal increase in funds over the years. “The South Goa Zilla Panchayat has received around Rs 12 crore government grant during the current year as against Rs eight crore sanctioned during the previous term”, she said.
The south ZP chief said that neither promises nor powers were given to the district panchayat bodies, nor has the government helped in the constitution of the district planning committee during the current term.
ZP member Daya Pagi, however, said that ZP members will loose the freedom if elections are held on party lines. Pagi said since the government is promulgating an ordinance to hold election on party lines, he challenged the BJP government to issue a similar ordinance devolving all powers and functions to the Zilla Panchayats.
under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
The meeting also demanded that the government bring about 33 per cent reservation for women in the state assemblies and parliament.
“The BJP government will receive the support of the women folk if the Modi government enacts the legislation providing for 33 per cent reservation of seats in assemblies and parliament to women”, she added.
The south Goa ZP chairperson also confirmed plans to contest the ensuing ZP polls and is awaiting for the government to unveil the constituencies after delimitation.
