CM cannot shirk responsibility on ST reservation, says UTAA

Tribal body calls Oct 31 meet in Margao, warns of statewide awareness drive if quota is denied in 2027

MARGAO

Asserting that the government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant cannot abdicate its responsibility to follow up with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on implementing political reservations for the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the 2027 Assembly elections, the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) has called a meeting in Margao on October 31 to chalk out a plan of action in the event the STs once again miss the reservation bus.

UTAA leader Adv John Fernandes warned that the tribal people would not sit idle if any attempt was made to indulge in “seat chori” by denying political reservations to ST communities in 2027.

Addressing the media, UTAA chief Prakash Velip was unequivocal in stating that the Chief Minister could not abdicate his responsibility to take the issue of political reservations to its logical conclusion. “The Chief Minister recently stated that the government had done what it was supposed to do on the reservation issue and that it was now for the Election Commission of India to take it forward. We feel the Chief Minister should follow up with the ECI. Election Commission officials have told us that reservations can become a reality if the government has the will. We have no access to the ECI. Hence, we expect the CM to follow up with the ECI to implement political reservations,” Velip asserted.

He added, “We have been given to understand that the government has not provided certain information to the ECI on political reservations. We still hope that the government will implement political reservations within the next month.”

Appealing to ST leaders, including panchas, sarpanchas, municipal councillors, MLAs and active UTAA leaders across the State, to attend the October 31 convention in Margao, Velip said this would be the last meeting before UTAA leaders and workers hit the ground to spread awareness about the injustice allegedly being done to the community by the government.

Fernandes made an impassioned plea to the government not to deprive the ST community of its reserved seats by delaying the implementation of political reservations. “Political reservations are our constitutional right. It would be unjust to the STs if there is “seat chori” by denying them political reservations,” he said.

UTAA: Spend tribal funds on welfare, not events

MARGAO: The United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) has urged the government to discontinue organising programmes such as Prerna Diwas and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas through event management agencies, arguing that such arrangements would do little to benefit tribal communities.

Velip expressed surprise that the government had spent Rs 4.41 crore on Prerna Diwas, held at Ambaulim to commemorate the death anniversaries of tribal youth Dilip Velip and Manguesh Gaonkar. “UTAA has been observing Prerna Diwas since 2012, using its own funds. We were surprised to learn that the government had spent Rs 4.41 crore on the programme,” he said.

Velip also took exception to the government’s plan to spend Rs 8 crore on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, which will be observed on November 15 to commemorate Bhagwan Birsa Munda. “No doubt, we have to remember the work of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, but it cannot come at a cost of Rs 8 crore. The Tribal Welfare Department should spend the funds under the tribal sub-plan on the upliftment of the poor and needy sections of tribal communities,” he added.

CM cannot shirk responsibility on ST reservation, says UTAA

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