Meeting of Scheduled Tribes at Khaddem–Balli to demand political reservations for the STs in the coming election.
SANGUEM
Goa’s Scheduled Tribes (ST) community has warned the BJP-led government of a statewide democratic campaign if the process for political reservation in four Assembly constituencies is not completed before the 2027 Assembly elections.
The warning was issued at an awareness meeting at Khaddem–Balli, attended by around 150 people from Balli–Adnem Panchayat and ST leaders from various parts of Goa.
The meeting discussed political representation, tribal welfare, pending government vacancies, forest rights, agricultural livelihoods and rural infrastructure.
Ami Goeche Rakhhandar president Rama Kankonkar said the community had been fighting for political representation for decades and had conducted over 130 awareness meetings across Goa.
"Now if they (BJP government) again try to cheat us and don’t give political reservation before 2027 Assembly election, the ST community will revolt against this government through democratic process. We will go every village and do awareness about how we have been denied our rights," Kankonkar said.
He warned that any further delay in fulfilling their constitutional rights would lead to a united democratic response. He said Goa has approximately 1.80 lakh ST voters across 22 Assembly constituencies and urged tribal youth to actively participate in the campaign.
Convenor Rupesh Velip questioned the utilisation of approximately Rs 33.37 crore reportedly spent on tribal programmes between 2024 and 2026, demanding transparency and measurable benefits for beneficiaries. He stressed that tribal development must translate into better roads, drinking water, drainage, irrigation, healthcare and other essential facilities.
The meeting highlighted over 2,500 pending ST backlog vacancies in government departments and more than 9,500 pending Individual Forest Rights claims.
Participants also demanded notification of eligible tribal areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, transparent utilisation of Tribal Sub-Plan funds and protection of tribal lands and traditional livelihoods.
Dheeraj Talpekar of Cola, Quepem, explained various welfare schemes available to ST beneficiaries but pointed out that complicated online applications, documentation requirements and administrative delays often prevent eligible families and students from accessing them. He called for village-level Seva Camps and simplified procedures.
Women’s Wing Coordinator Harsha Wadkar expressed concern over development projects affecting tribal lands, biodiversity, water bodies and cultivated areas. She urged educated tribal youth to spread awareness, monitor welfare projects and hold authorities accountable, stressing the need to protect indigenous traditions and community rights.
Participants also demanded time-bound action on rural infrastructure, agricultural assistance, employment and welfare schemes. They urged elected representatives and officials to visit remote tribal villages and prepare development plans based on local needs.
The meeting was attended by ST representatives from Quepem, Ponda, Sanguem, Canacona, Cuncolim, Curchorem, Cacora and Salcete, among other areas. Several local leaders and village coordinators assisted in organising the gathering.
