Team Herald
PONDA: The United Tribal Association’s Alliance (UTAA), the apex organisation representing Goa’s tribal communities, has submitted its twelve-point charter of demands to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The UTAA presented its demands during the celebration of its 20th foundation day at the GEC grounds in Farmagudi. Several dignitaries attended the event, including Faggan Singh Kulaste, MP and Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs); South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes; UTAA President Prakash Velip; UTAA leader and Minister Govind Gaude; Cortalim MLA Anton Vaaz; and Vishwas Gaude.
The Chief Minister acknowledged that the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community remains disadvantaged and that their demands need to be addressed. He assured the crowd that the government is working towards fulfilling these demands but requires time and added that efforts would be made in the upcoming parliamentary session to pass a bill for political reservation for ST communities in Goa.
MP Faggan Singh Kulaste highlighted his efforts in securing political reservation for ST communities in Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir, noting that similar efforts would be made for Goa in the future.
South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes reaffirmed his commitment to securing political reservation for the ST community and noted that the issue had already been raised in the last parliamentary session.