The battle for scrapping the recently passed and controversial Goa Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill has gone to the Law commission. Some sarpanchas under the aegis of the All Goa Panchayat Democratic Forum submitted a memorandum to the Law commission asking it to recommend dropping the Bill.

Raia villagers and the sarpance traded accusations and nearly blows as the gram sabha was marred with acrimonious scenes on Sunday.

The controversial Goa Panchayat Raj (Amendment Bill) 2009 has been sent to the Governor Shivinder Singh Sidhu for his stamp of approval.

All village Panchayats in Goa have been asked to submit development plans so as to avail central funds under the district development committee grants.

Failure to submit village delevopment plans may be costing panchayats dearly in terms of loss of central government funding.

Empowerment of women at the grassroot level has taken a shot in the arm. Women can now expect greater participation with 50% reservations in panchayats across India.

The All Goa Panchayat Democratic Forum and the South Goa Sarpanch Forum issued a three weeks ultimatum to the government to withdraw the amendment to the Panchayat Raj Act.

The Council for Social Justice and Peace has asked the Governor Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu not to give his asent to the Panchayat Raj ammendment Bill as it is “unconstitutional and violates the rights of the voters, members of the panchayat and the gram sabha.”

The Ganv Ghor Rakhon Manch (GGRM) has expressed both its shock and outrage at the recent exploits of the members of the Legislature. Their amendment of the Goa Panchayati Raj Act to give powers to bureaucrats turns the logic of Panchayati Raj on its head.

Goa Bachao Abhiyan has come out strongly in protest against the passing of the Goa Panchayati Raj (amendment) Bill, 2009, in the legislative assembly recently.