MARGAO: GAKUVED Federation has condemned the statement made by Tribal Minister Govind Gaude of doing away with reservation. They have advised the minister to avoid speaking if he has no concern regarding the Scheduled Tribal community.
The GAKUVED said that while addressing Prerna Din at Ravindra Bhavan Curchorem, recently, Minister Govind Gaude said, “We should do away with reservation, because the competition is the best.”
He also said that reservation brings “laziness” and is “Kubada” for us.
The federation reminded him that United Tribal Association Alliance’s (UTTA) demands included filling of backlog vacancies and the maintenance of reservation roaster. UTAA agitation of 2011 was organised to fulfill 12 demands of Tribal community. Out if these 12 demands, many are still pending.
”Both the previous governments and the present government have miserably failed to consider and fulfill the demands of UTAA,” they stated.
“Following the UTAA agitation, many UTAA leaders like Prakash Velip, Ramesh Tawadkar, Govind Gawade and Vasu Meng Gaonkar contested 2012 Assembly elections. Despite having the ministries and holding the positions as ST Commissioner, the key issues have remained unaddressed,” added the federation.
“Being in Government, it is Gaude’ responsibility to fulfill this demands but he does not seem to be serious on this issue. If he feels that reservation is “laziness” and “Kubda”; then we want an explanation as to why the UTAA agitation was organised. Was it a genuine agitation or a political propaganda? Was the UTAA agitation organised only to gain political mileage? Why even after eight years since the UTAA agitation, all the demands have still not been fulfilled despite there being UTAA leaders in the cabinet? Can’t Govind Gawade question the government and get it done. If he cannot work for the betterment of his community, he should keep his mouth shut and should not insult the ST community members,” said the GAKUVED Federation.
