TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The Goa Dhangar Samaj headed by MLA Babu Kavlekar on Friday said that all out efforts will be made to get ST status for the Dhangar community.
After his re-election as President of Goa Dhangar Samaj for the second time, Babu said the organisation will take up with the Goa government as well as with the Centre the long pending demand for the inclusion of the Dhangars in the scheduled tribe community.
He said the government in particular and all the 40 MLAs in general have supported the demand for Dhangar’s inclusion in the ST status, adding that both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have been sympathetic to the cause of the Dhangar community. He, however, said that the time has come to present a full proof case before the Registrar General of India.
“We had in the past sent our proposal to the RGI thrice, but the Registrar General has only asked for further details and clarifications,” Babu said, while making an appeal to all Goans to support the just and genuine cause and to undo the injustice caused to the community.
Replying to a question, Babu said that though the Dhangars have not been included in the ST list, Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar has extended all the schemes and benefits meant for the STs to the community as well. “Barring reservation in jobs and in education, the Dhangars enjoy schemes and benefits on par with the ST communities,” he said.
