PANAJI
High Court issued notices to Election Commission of India, Delimitation Commission and Chief Electoral Office on a petition filed by Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar and others seeking 12 percent reservation of seats in Goa legislative assembly elections for scheduled tribes.
The High Court has asked the respondents to file a reply by October 24 and has kept the matter for hearing on October 27.
The petitioners have argued that four seats qualify for being reserved for Scheduled Tribes -- Sanguem, Quepem, Priol and Nuvem will qualify to be reserved for STs once the reservation is mandated.
In his petition before the court, Gaonkar has asked the Court to direct the EC to implement the reservation for scheduled tribes candidates in the ensuing Goa State Assembly Elections in accordance with article 332 of the constitution of India and other statutory provisions.
