---------------------------------------------------------------------------
**** http://www.GOANET.org ****
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Happy New Year Twenty-Ten
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Edited version of this letter published in GT dtd. 1st january 2010)
While Dr. Oscar Rebello is definitely entitled to his personal views, the
criticism of the Gram Sabhas (GT Weekender, 27 December 2009) in the capacity
of a social activist of GBA fame and as a member of the Task-force on the RP
2021 are absolutely disgusting. Dr. Rebello's comments smell more like those of
politicians, bureaucrats and agents of the real estate lobby. One wonders
whether he has ever bothered to take a look at Part IX of the Constitution of
India and the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 before drawing such irresponsible
conclusions.
The year 2009 -2010 has beeen dedicated as the Year of the Gram Sabha by the
Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. The circular from the Ministry
of Panchayati Raj refers to the Gram Sabhas as of prime importance in
self-governance for transparent and accountable functioning of the Gram
Panchayat. Some legal profesionals in Goa have refered to the Gram Sabha as a
'People's Parliament'. So which are the agencies he is refering to when he
says, "All the functions of the Gram Sabha are not explained to the villagers
properly"?
One does not need to be an expert in planning to understand that any
socio-economic planning very much hinges around natural resource planning and
management. But Dr. Rebello, who appears to speak more like the ambassador of
the real estate and mining lobby in Goa, is determined to keep land-use
planning away from the controls of the people. Going by his recent comments one
can well imagine the anti-people role played by the then convenor of GBA in the
Task force on RP 2021.
Even supposing the Gram Sabhas were not delegated with powers on land-use
planning, as a social activist Dr. Rebello and convenor of a people's movement
should have campaigned for the devolution of powers to these local bodies.
Unfortunately 'bhatkarxahi' continues to run deep in the veins and such slogans
of 'Power to the people' and titles like 'social activist' remain mere brand
labels to market aspiring politicians, woo donor agencies and as tools for
Goa's exploitative forces to manipulate the 'aam admi'.
-Soter D'Souza
