The Centre For Panchayati Raj - Peaceful Society on the occassion of World Social Justice Day, Friday 20th February 2009, is organising a Consultation on the draft Goa Panchayati Raj (Amendment ) Bill, 2009, at the Nossa Senhora de Piedade Hall, next to S.B.I, Panjim at 3.45 p.m.
The purpose of this Consultation is to solicit views of elected representatives of Panchayats and the Gram Sabha members on the controversial amendments that the government seeks to introduce in the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 by vesting powers in the Village Panchayat Secretaries vide the proposed section 47(iv) and other powers to the Apellate authorities in the Panchayati Raj institutions vide the proposed section 244C. The Bill which was due to be approved in the recently concluded State Assembly session was refered to a Select Committee of the House to study after queries were raised by some MLAs. The Bill attains utmost significance in the event that while there has been a concerted effort from the Union government to encourage States in devolving adequate powers to the local bodies in order to enable them function as real local self-governments, the Goa government appears to be withdrawing the negligible powers given to these local bodies. The Consultation is open to the public and those interested may contact the Centre For Panchayati Raj on phone 2903352 or 9890056616 for further details. Soter D'Souza Centre For Panchayati Raj-Peaceful Society, Kundaim, Goa 403 115 Phone: 9890056616
