PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said his government has formally urged the Centre to expedite Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation of Assembly seats and that his efforts on the issue are continuing.
Speaking to reporters, Sawant expressed confidence that the Centre would move ahead after completing legal and procedural verifications.
“We have already placed the request. The process is on,” he said. Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, himself a senior tribal leader of the ruling BJP, added that he was confident the issue would be resolved within 15 days to a month. Sawant's and Tawadkar's assertions gain significance in the face of a mega protest announced by ST leaders on August 13 to press for the Assembly quota implementation. Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar said Sawant had assured a delegation of Dhangar representatives that Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram would reconsider their demand for ST status.
Kavlekar said Sawant also promised to take up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah before August 15.
Kavlekar had led the Dhangar delegation and met Sawant on Monday, to press for ST recognition for the community. The demand was recently rejected by the Centre, sparking discontent among community leaders. Sawant’s assurances underline the political sensitivity of tribal issues in Goa, especially with Assembly elections due in early 2027 with the government facing pressure to deliver on this long standing demand.
