OLD GOA
Welcoming the passage of 'The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024', the Mission Political Reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa has demanded its immediate approval in the Rajya Sabha as well so that the reservation comes into effect at the 2027 Assembly elections.
Addressing reporters in Panaji on Friday, spokesperson Govind Shirodkar said that the Central government should immediately introduce the Bill in the Rajya Sabha and get it approved so that the same is sent to the assent of the President.
"There are six more days left of the Parliament session and the Bill should be immediately introduced and approved in the Rajya Sabha," Shirodkar asserted while stating that the Mission is closely monitoring the situation.
"If the said Bill is not passed in the ongoing session of Parliament, the opportunity for seats to be reserved for the Goa Assembly elections of 2027 will be lost," Shirodkar stated as he opined that after assent from the President, the exercise of delimitation has to be undertaken to determine which Assembly seats are going to be reserved for STs.
When questioned over their future course of action in case of failure to get reservation in the Assembly elections, the Mission members said that they don't want to dwell into that issue right now as they have faith that the government will ensure that the ST community of Goa gets justice that eluded for over 20 years.
"Also, we cannot speak on which constituencies have to be reserved for STs as that will be decided only after the delimitation exercise is undertaken," Shirodkar added.
Mission President Adv. John Fernandes and other members also spoke on the occasion.
