The malyalee publisher who strayed into Goa claims that his worst fears about corruption in Panchayats of Goa have been confirmed by the recent report card from the Directorate of Panchayats. It was probably something the self-proclaimed stray migrant Goan was perhaps waiting for, in order to build a case for his real estate and mining patrons.By claiming that the results of the exams or assessment conducted by the Directorate of Panchayats for the year 2009 -10 is likely to be a big disappointment for those who swear by the 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitutution and wax eloquent about decentralised planning, he has only demonstrated his gross ignorance. Stray Thoughts is part of Goa's menacing problem of stray cattle, and stray dogs.
In his eagerness to settle scores with politicians and Goans who refuse to buy his dubious rubbish on the weekend, he is trying to market a lie created by the very culprits who destroy the panchayats. Who will judge those bureaucrats and officers who sat in judgement over the duly elected constitutional representatives of the local bodies to prepare this report card? It was rightly pointed out by Mr. T R Raghunandan, then Jt. Secy to the Union Panchayat Raj Minister during his visit to Goa in 2008, that the player cannot also be the refree. The all - knowing stray publisher has forgotten that there was a report on Goa published by IRMA- Ahmedabad in 2007 -2008 for the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj which spells out the reasons for the pathetic situation prevalent in Goa's Panchayats which probably this recent report card prepared by the very perpetrators of corruption seeks to cover up. No one denies the fact that rampant corruption prevails in Goa's village panchayats, but it is with the blessings of these very bureaucrats and politicians who prepare report cards for others. The logical question would be, if there is so much illegality in Village Panchayats what were the steps taken by those in authority to remedy the situation? The Central Finance Commission and Central Planning Commission have prescribed a list of reform measures in Panchayat Raj which has to be carried out by the State Government. How much of those recommendations have been implemented? On going through those recommendations one will realise the hollowness of the report card published by the Directorate of Panchayats. -Soter
