It is good to read the concerns of Freddy Fernandes on the state of Gram Sabhas in Goa which have been shared. The debate on the subject is very important as it is now the constitutional right of people to self-govern.
It would be worth noting that Gram Sabhas are not merely consultative bodies but have decisive powers. The Annual budget needs to be passed by the Gram Sabha. Lists of beneficiaries for government schemes, utilisation certificates for panchayat works, priority of development works, etc. have to get the approval of the Gram Sabha. There is much to be desired from the law but properly implementing what one has in hand will also go a long way in asserting people's say on issues of development. The problem is that the Gram Sabhas besides making noise have not lobbied before the concerned authorities for upholding it's rights. Gram Sabhas on many occassions have dragged in issues on which they have no mandate. Some NGOs mindlessly issue 'fatwas' and Gram Sabhas follow suit without considering it's legal limits. For instance some NGOs issued appeals to adopt resolutions against RP 2021 in the Special Gram Sabha of 26th january. The special Gram Sabha is not meant for this. If the NGOs were sleeping it was their fault and the excuse cannot be given that the next Gram Sabha is far away. If necessary law provides for an extraordinary Gram Sabha to be convened. So also there is no consistency in the decisions of these village councils which often land up contradicting themselves. Being the year of the Gram Sabha, the government of Goa has done nothing and the Gram Sabhas have also done nothing to highlight the event. -Soter
