Work out pension scheme for panchas: forum to govt

Work out pension scheme for panchas: forum to govt 
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, AUG 19   
The Goa Panchayat Democratic Forum has urged the government to work out a pension scheme for the Panch members, besides monthly allowance for the Panchayat elected representatives.
“When MLAs and other elected representatives are receiving monthly allowances and pension, the same benefit should be extended to Sarpanchas and Panchayat members”, demanded Forum member and Rachol Sarpanch, Joseph Vaz.
Briefing newsmen, the Forum expressed satisfaction over the government decision to bring about Amendment to the Panchayat Raj Act making provision for a district Court as the Appellate authority. “The common citizen or Panchayat can challenge the order passed by any authority before the court of law if they feel that the order is illegal. This will prevent miscarriage of justice as the order of the government officers can now be tested by the Judiciary”, asserted Cavelossim Sarpanch Edwin Barretto.
He said the government wanted to take control of the village panchayats through the back door by bypassing duly elected panchayat bodies by amending Section 47 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act. “Through this proposed Amendment, the Village Panchayat secretary  could have executed the order or direction from any authority such as a Director of Panchayat, BDO and Deputy Director of Panchayats without consulting the Panchayat body”, Barretto said.
“We are happy that our efforts to provide justice to the common man have borne fruit. The Forum has forced the government to listen to their point of view and also made the government aware that illegal laws cannot be pushed down the throats of law abiding citizens”, Barretto added.