MARGAO
Giving a push to the movement in support for political reservations to the tribal community, the Mission for Political Reservations for the ST community called on top BJP leaders, including BJP State President Sadanand Tanavade, ex-MP Narendra Sawaikar, former MLA Damu Naik and explained them the options available under the law to give reservation for STs of Goa in the Assembly.
The delegation requested Tanavade to pursue the matter with their high command and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant regarding the proposal forwarded by Director Tribal Welfare to reserve four seats for STs in Goa Assembly.
Mission spokesperson Govind Shirodkar explained that the ST community of Goa has been deprived of their constitutional right of political reservation in the Assembly and House of the people from the last 20 years.
He further explained them the provisions available under the Constitution of India and Goa is the only State which has not implemented the constitutional obligation of reservation of seats in the Assembly and House of the people.
The delegation further brought to the notice of Tanavade that during the study visit of the Parliamentary Committee for Welfare of SC/ST, its chairman Dr (Prof) Kirit Premjibai Solanki on January 19, directions were given to the Goa Government to submit a proposal to the Union Government to reserve seats for ST in Goa Assembly.
“Based on the instructions of Dr Kirit Solanki, Director of Tribal Welfare Dashrath Redkar has already moved a proposal in this regard and is pending for approval of the CM,” Shirodkar told the BJP president.
The BJP State President Tanavade has assured the delegation that he will take up the matter at the party level and will also speak to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant so that the proposal is moved to the Central Government at the earliest.
