MARGAO
A delegation of 'Mission Political Reservation for Scheduled tribes of Goa called on Union Minister Shripad Naik and Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda and drew their attention to the long pending demand of Political Reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa.
The delegation brought to the notice of the two ministers, that Gawada, Kunbi and Velip communities were notified in Goa in 2003 taking the tally of Scheduled Tribes in Goa to 12.5% but no political reservation has been given to these communities since the last 20 years.
They pointed out that at the time when the said notification was issued, the delimitation commission was constituted and was preparing its report for the readjustment of seats and reservation of seats for SC and ST.
Saying the report was tabled in the parliament in 2008 and was approved, the delegation, however, pointed out that the Scheduled Tribes of Goa have been deprived of their constitutional rights of political reservation.
The delegation called for issuing necessary directions to the Election Commission of India to fulfil the long pending demand of political reservation for the Scheduled Tribes of Goa.
The delegation impressed upon the two ministers that the issue could be resolved by bringing an Ordinance in the Parliament by the Government of India and passing a Bill in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha to give political reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa.
General Secretary Rupesh Velip informed that both the ministers have assured that the Scheduled Tribes of Goa will get the benefit of political reservation as enshrined under the Constitution of India by placing the matter before the concerned authorities.
Members of the delegation included Adv Joao Fernandes, Ravindra Velip, Rupesh Velip, Rama Kankonkar, Joycee Dias, Govind Shirodka and Joseph Vaz.
