PANJIM, March 23 -- Civil society and panchayat members have raised strong objections to the State government's move to prohibit discussions on subjects not on the agenda at gram sabha meetings, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the notification claiming it to be "arbitrary and against the spirit of devolution of powers".
The State government through a notification in April, last year introduced an amendment to the Goa Panchayats (Gram Sabha meetings) Rules 1996, through which it proposed to substitute Rule 7 of the Act seeking to prohibit discussion on subjects beyond the agenda at gram sabha meetings. A 15-day period had been granted to raise objections. Accordingly, several persons submitted objections.
Directorate of Panchayat on ...