---------------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be BETTER INFORMED ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ Bring 74th amendment to Municipal Act: activist Threatens to move High Court ------------------------------------------------------------ A civic and consumer activist from Cuncolim has threatened to knock the doors of the High Court if the government fails to take the implementation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment to its logical conclusion.
Rony Dias has petitioned to the Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao, with copies to the Chief Minister and others, to bring a new Municipal Act incorporating the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act. According to him, the Directorate of Municipal Administration had prepared a draft Municipal Act known as Goa Municipal Act 2006, incorporating the 74th Amendment and had sent it for necessary corrections to the All India Institute of Local Self Government in Mumbai more than a year ago. However, till date, the government is reluctant to introduce the new Municipal Act, terming it as a blatant attempt to control the Municipalities and councillors, deny peoples participation in the decision-making process and devolution of powers and responsibilities to the Municipalities and the people. Dias said this further amount to denying the transfer of the 18 functions stated in the Twelfth Scheduled to the Urban Local Bodies. He said the implementation of the 74th Amendment would bring in a new Municipal Act as the present 1968 Municipal Act is considered outdated in these modern times. He maintained that the Goa government for the last 14 years has denied its citizens the fundamental rights guaranteed under the 74th Constitutional Amendment, adding, "this has affected peoples participation in the decision-making process, denial of the Twelfth Schedule and Central government funds such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission". ------------------------------------- HERALD 30/3/08 page 3 ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------- __._,_.___
