PANAJI
With the Centre yet to issue the final notification for implementing Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation in the Goa Legislative Assembly, community leaders on Wednesday sought Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s intervention and warned of exploring alternative measures if their long-pending demand is not fulfilled before the 2027 Assembly elections.
A delegation led by Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar met the Chief Minister and urged him to follow up with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the notification required to operationalise The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Act.
The demand assumes urgency as the Chief Minister-led delegation had met Shah in New Delhi on June 7, during which the Union Home Minister had assured a response within ten days after consulting the Solicitor General of India.
"We brought to the notice of the Chief Minister that Uttar Pradesh and Tripura have already got reservations and the same principle applies to Goa. We have submitted all population data and related information. We have requested the Chief Minister to immediately intervene and ensure reservation is implemented for the 2027 polls," Tawadkar said.
While maintaining that the community is adopting a patient approach, Tawadkar hinted at stronger measures if the government fails to respond positively. "We have shown a lot of patience. The moment we get a negative response, we will explore other options to secure our rights. For now, the government's response is positive," he said.
MLA Govind Gaude said the community has been fighting for its constitutional rights for the last 23 years and stressed the need for continuous follow-up with the Centre. “We are positive. We have been fighting for our constitutional rights for the last 23 years. We are not pressurising anyone but if need arises we will look into that,” he said.
Tribal leader Prakash Velip said that the Act is already in place. Once the notification is issued, the entire process can be completed within three months. “The Chief Minister is 100 per cent confident," he said.
Assembly Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar and Independent MLA Antonio Vas were also part of the delegation.
The legislation provides for reservation of four Assembly constituencies for ST candidates. Based on the existing demographic matrix, Priol, Quepem, Sanguem and either Nuvem or Curtorim are likely to be reserved.
However, there is growing apprehension within political circles that if the notification is not issued within this month, implementation of ST reservation may be pushed beyond the next Assembly elections and deferred until 2031.
