The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution was intended to be the culminating point
of the evolutionary process of the decentralisation of democratic power. The
Amendment has provisions which are of great significance that relate to socio-
economic planning. These include preparation of development plans,
implementation of development schemes, power to levy and collect taxes,
constitution of State Finance Commissions to review financial position of
Panchayats, delineation of subjects which call be assigned to the Panchayats
and most importantly, the invalidating of any law in force which is
inconsistent with the Amendment.
The State Government was expected to amend its laws to make them in harmony
with the 73rd amendment. However, on the contrary the successive Governments of
Goa have subverted both the letter and the spirit of the historic 73rd
Amendment. And now the morally bankrupt politicians and their agents and
advisors are crying foul when the villagers are exercising their fundamental
right by proactively participating in the Gramsabhas. They are increasingly
rubbishing the legalities of the Gram Sabha resolutions.
The undemocratic vested interests need to realize that what is happening at
most Gramsabhas is not the case of “Might is right”. It is rather the case of
“Right is Might”. When the political and administrative leadership actively
encourages illegalities and immoralities, how can we fault the villagers for
becoming belligerent and vigilant to the attacks on their land and livelihoods,
culture and environment, villages and forests.
Despite the huge movements against the Regional Plan and the SEZs, the
intentions of land grab and violations are getting greater support from the
powers that be. We must all join the solidarity of the Goans in the quest to
salvage what remains in the wake of the brutalization of our motherland. And we
must do everything that will compel our Government to validate the letter and
the spirit of the 73rd Amendment.
Pravin Sabnis
Alto Betim
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