Roque Dias Margao
Over the past 25 years, the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) in Goa has quietly emerged as a vehicle of rural progress, even without being vested with the full formal powers it was meant to exercise.
What began as an initial learning phase gradually evolved into determination, with result-driven rural development slowly becoming visible across most of the 50 Zilla Panchayat constituencies in the state.
The first five-year term from 2000 to 2005 was largely spent familiarising ZP members with the institution’s powers, functions, roles and responsibilities. The subsequent term from 2005 to 2010 saw members grow in confidence and move from study to action, aided by the experience of re-elected members. During this period, they launched a slow but determined political campaign for the devolution of powers, largely initiated from South Goa. This build-up of pressure, combined with stronger internal momentum, helped ZPs across the state move from small interventions to more substantial local development.
In the early years, ZP members worked with grants of just a few lakh rupees each, but focused on basic and visible improvements such as the construction of stormwater drains, laying of pavers and creation of community amenities, often with the support of office and technical staff.
The first batch of ZP members in both districts was marked by enthusiasm, with several members even spending from their own pockets to ensure community works were completed.
“Though we were neglected by the government, we made the best use of the grants and carried out developmental works in our constituencies. The grants were sanctioned according to priorities, and I completed nearly 17 works in my constituency with limited funds,” said a former ZP member and educator who served during the 2005–2010 term.
Funding increased gradually over the years, with grants rising from roughly Rs 25 lakh per member in the early terms of five years to about Rs 2.5 crore per constituency in the most recent term. With this increase, along with some central government allocations, ZPs have overseen nearly 9,500 works across Goa over the past 25 years. These include concrete-covered drains and pavers, toilets, children’s parks and futsal grounds, support to local educational institutions, crematorium upgrades, water-augmentation schemes and well-cleaning initiatives. Apart from this, several ZP members have spent their own money on minor, unlisted works across the state.
“Funds gradually increased and that enabled us to take up more work,” said two-time chairperson Nelly Rodrigues. Domnic Gaunkar, a three-time ZP member, with one term represented by his spouse, said the couple carried out nearly 120 projects in the Raia, Salcete constituency across four terms. Former South Goa ZP chairperson Suvarna Tendulkar said, “The state allotted Rs 2.5 crore to each ZP member in this term for developmental works. ZPs also got some central funds. We utilised them with the cooperation of office and technical staff to undertake the most needed projects.”
While increased budgets have undoubtedly helped deliver results, the push for true devolution of power must continue despite the progress made, a sitting ZP member who does not intend to recontest said.
