Team Herald
MARGAO: In a significant development for Goa’s Scheduled Tribes (ST) community, South Goa Member of Parliament (MP) Captain Viriato Fernandes has brought their long-standing demand for political representation to the forefront of national attention. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Fernandes passionately advocated for the introduction of a Bill to ensure political reservation for the ST community in the Goa Assembly.
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Addressing the Speaker, Fernandes began by stating, “I come from South Goa, but I want to speak for the whole of Goa.” He emphasised that Goa’s current status is the result of hard work put in by many people, particularly highlighting the contribution of the ST community. He gave the examples of the various ST communities in this regard, such as the Gowda, Kunbi, Velip and also the Dhangars, who he pointed out are yet to be recognised today.
The MP pointed out that these communities constitute 10% of Goa’s population. “They are crying for their rights, they want to be recognised and they have reached out to the Central government,” Fernandes explained, drawing attention to their struggle for representation.
Fernandes then referred to a specific promise made to the community, stating, “In March 2024, the Prime Minister promised the community (representation); and in a cabinet meeting in March 2024, they decided the readjustment of representation of STs in Assembly constituencies of the State of Goa Bill 2024, which has been approved in a cabinet meeting.”
Concluding his speech, the MP made a heartfelt appeal: “My humble request is that the Bill should be introduced at the earliest to give justice to the ST community of Goa.”
Following the Parliamentary session, Fernandes reiterated his demand for the early introduction of the Bill, framing it as a crucial step towards ensuring fair representation for the ST community in Goa’s political processes.
