Daijiworld Media Network - Margao
Margao, Jul 14: The demand for greater powers and increased funding for district panchayat bodies dominated the South Goa Zilla Panchayat meeting held on Monday, with members urging the Goa government to strengthen the functioning of ZPs by devolving more authority and financial resources.
The meeting, chaired by South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Sidharth Gauns Desai, saw BJP member Mohan Gaonkar pressing for enhanced powers and additional grants for district panchayats.
Gaonkar said the annual allocation of Rs 40 lakh to each ZP member was inadequate even to undertake three development works in a year.
"What are we supposed to do when we exhaust the funds allotted to the members? Unlike the village panchayats, we have no powers to take up works," he said.
He pointed out that while panchayat members regularly execute development works, Zilla Panchayat members remain largely inactive due to limited powers.
"Even Panchayat members are actively carrying out works on a daily basis. But here, we remain passive for want of powers, except to utilise the Rs 40 lakh sanctioned annually to each of the members," he added.
Gaonkar urged the Chairperson to take up the matter with the government and seek greater devolution of funds and powers to the Zilla Panchayats.
He suggested that the government could transfer funds from other departments to ZPs to enable them to implement development works under those departments.
Responding to the concerns, Chairperson Sidharth Gauns Desai said the South Goa Zilla Panchayat would formally convey the members' demands to the state government.
"The government can issue directions for the implementation of the Rural Development Agency's schemes through the Zilla Panchayat," he said.
Desai added that he would raise the issue of additional powers and funding with the government and expressed confidence that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant would find a solution.
When asked whether the BJP-led government was serious about devolving powers to the district panchayats, Desai said discussions were currently underway on assigning community farming-related responsibilities to the ZPs.
Members also pointed out that Zilla Panchayat representatives do not even have the authority to issue life certificates required by beneficiaries of various government welfare schemes.
The meeting further discussed a circular issued by the Tribal Welfare Department directing the Zilla Panchayat to obtain prior approval from the department before undertaking development works in Scheduled Tribe areas.
Meanwhile, seven South Goa Zilla Panchayat members representing the newly created Kushavati district have sought separate status and additional financial assistance from the state government.
Led by Chairperson Sidharth Gauns Desai, the delegation recently met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and highlighted that although the members belong to Kushavati district, they continue to function under the South Goa Zilla Panchayat.
Dharbandora ZP member Rupesh Desai said the delegation requested the Chief Minister to grant the Kushavati members a separate identity along with additional funds for development works.
Chairperson Desai said the delegation had also sought an extension of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat office within the existing building and additional financial support to enable members to undertake more development projects.
"We have asked for additional funds so that members can take up more works," Desai said, adding that the Chief Minister had assured the delegation that their requests would be considered.