Amidst a raging inconclusive debate of India's tiny 25th State(13.43 lacs 2001 census (Prov) ) being over-represented in governance, nearly 46.5 %voters (as confirmed from State election officer) went to the polls on this otherwise pleasant morning on Sunday 13th March,2005 from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs to elect 48 members of the 197 candidates ---to the North Goa Zilla Panchayat and South Goa Zilla Panchayat.
The polling was obviously lack lustre and incident free when this writer visited most of the areas in North and South (given the political developments since 29th January 2005 to 4th March 2005 and Presidents Rule with Assembly in suspended animation. Counting of ballots will be held on 15th March, 2005. Two candidates were elected unopposed viz; Ms Jenifer Monserate Taleigao seat (reserved for women) (spouse of Atanasio (Babush) Monserate ex MLA of Taleigao and his "man friday" Mr Antonio Silveira from Agacaim seat ( brother of MLA St Andre Mr Francisco Silveira) both in North Goa Zilla Panchayat. With the 73 Constitutional amendment it was necessary to have two tier Panchayats in Goa in 1994 following the Goa Panchayati Raj Act . Thus there were 189 Village Panchayats (first elections were in 1962 and under new Act in 1994 ). The Zilla Panchayats came into force North Goa 30 and South Goa 20 with 8 seats reserved for women and one each for SC and OBC and 5 seats reserved for women and one seat each for SC and OBC reserved in North and South respectively, and first such election held on 6.2.2000 and took office in March 2000 There is a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson for both districts and of the 21 subjects needed to be alloted to then only 5 have been given during the erstwhile term. Being elected without having powers have discouraged the citizens and sitting members from contesting the elections. Candidates do not contest on political party tickets but surely have the covert support of those in power. The reason for Members of the Legislative Assembly not parting with the powers to Village Panchayats, Zilla Panchayats, Municipalities and now Corporation is obvious. The MLA whose predominant job is to be law maker at the State level (alike their counterparts the Member of Parliament at the Centre ) ---in the true spirit of the Constitution of India, and deal with policy matters on various subjects in the State and Concurrent List actually pay scant regard for law making but ------ are comfortable with interfering in the domain of the local bodies to enforce their writ on the voters. Most of the MLAs and now MPs as well are first generation literates and have knowledge limited to the village and taluka level and not beyond -- to consider them knowledgeable in matters general or in art of governance in the State and rest of the country would be a joke in their own admission-- notwithstanding the fact that most of them are graduates. It is because of this mindset and tendency that MLAs run to inaugurate "Sulabh" toilets or setting up of a transformer, asphalting the road etc when these come under the domain of Panchas, Zilla Panchayat members Councillors or Corporators. It is to be seen whether during the Presidents rule necessary ordinances are brought about to allot all the subjects to these local bodies and thereby force the MLAs and MPs to concentrate on law making. Atleast the voters could ensure this if they do not invite them for such functions which are ordinarily the preserve of the local bodies. Meanwhile there were no electoral voting machines used but the ballot papers were in vogue. There were attempts earlier to stall the elections on the grounds that delimitation of the constituencies were not carried giving due representation to those that opposed some of the changes -- there was also a demand to allot constituencies for the STs which have been ignored. GODFREY J I GONSALVES [EMAIL PROTECTED] Borda Margao Goa ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Help save the life of a child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.' http://us.click.yahoo.com/mGEjbB/5WnJAA/E2hLAA/0FHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> http://www.goa-world.com http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music http://www.mahableshwar.com/ Addresses: Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL to this page: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
