Herald: BJP Government promised power, funds and functions if elections are fought on party lines. But the scenario is very bad and ZP’s are totally neglected till date (9 months). Is it that the BJP could not get the majority in ZP elections and thus are sideling the new ZPs?
Rajendra Arlekar: It is not that during the BJP government such promises were made. All other earlier governments made such promises but not one of them have done anything for that. Now BJP have already promised them to give powers including financial powers. There are some arrangements to be made as everyone knows that since the time BJP came to power there were some financial issues faced by the government but now we have overcome all these problems and are in a position to help them financially. Presently, the promise is made to give them funds of Rs 6.25 cores and in the future, we intend to enhance the same by Rs 10 crores in order to give them more financial power.
Herald: Given the fact that the funds would be increased to Rs 10 crores in the future, if we calculate the monthly expenditure, the same won’t be sufficient for them to take up developmental work. How do you look at this issue?
Arlekar: What I personally think is that if the financial position of the government improves, then we intend to give them a fix amount per ZP as it is being given in case of MPs. Therefore, a certain amount will be allotted to them as fixed funds and then they would be in a better position to take on developmental work in their constituency. But this is just my thought and yet to be put up before the government.
Herald: Although you took charge of the Panchayat Ministry recently, if you were there before as Panchayat minister, do you think that this issue would have been resolved long back?
Arlekar: I don’t know. But this may be coincidence that I took the charge as Panchayat Minister and this issue was raised again. But one should understand that there were some problems even earlier and if I was there, the problem would have been resolved. The problems were there and now they are getting cleared; now we are in position to do something which is more important.
Herald: When will RDA, Primary schools, Aanganwadis be handed over to ZPs as just one and half year is left for the BJP.
Arlekar: Government is yet to take a formal decision on this and at the next cabinet, the same would be discussed. But I think the same should not prolong for more than two months as we are thinking positively.
Herald: Do you think that the demand raised by ZPs are just a blame game or their demands are appropriate and justified and needs to be fulfilled considering the same as genuine?
Arlekar: It is not that their every demand is proper and every time it is justified but we must try to understand why they feel frustrated many times. All subsequent governments so far gave them the powers which were needed by them. Earlier it was just lip service and not body acted and that is why they have some frustrations and have been demanding things which may not be possible.
Herald: There was a demand placed by the South Goa ZPs that they should be allotted space in the old Collectorate building so as to run their offices. However, the issue is the existing poor infrastructure of the building. What is the solution for this issue?
Arlekar: I have no problem if they are ready to work at the old Collectorate building. Instead, I would like to suggest to them to move ahead with the demand of their own office and the government would help them. Also I have told them to identify some place where they can have their own building.
Herald: The demand for more engineers and technical engineers, what do you have to say on that?
Arlekar: They already have a post of executive engineer on deputation, besides that they have three junior engineers. However I understand that the issue was raised because the executive engineer did not report to duty. Let him join first and then we will look after this issue.
Herald: The demand of cabinet status to Chairperson of ZP is in line to what Karnataka Government has proposed. What do you have to say on this demand? And when will all the issues faced by ZPs be finally resolved?
Arlekar: I don’t think it is required to give cabinet status to the ZP chairperson. With regard to issues, I believe that by January end all matters would be resolved but one should not think that it is a deadline for me. I say that I will put all my effort to get such issues resolved and that is what I have in mind.
