Team Herald
PANJIM: The Election Commission of India, Delimitation Commission and the Chief Electoral Office, Goa has been directed by the High Court of Bombay at Goa to reply to a plea seeking 12 per cent reservation of seats in the Goa Legislative Assembly elections for Schedule Tribe (ST).
The High Court is hearing a petition filed by Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar and several others seeking direction to the authorities concerned to implement reservation for ST candidates in the ensuing Assembly elections in accordance to the mandate under Article 332 of the Constitution of India.
The petitioners seek reservations for Sanguem, Priol, Quepem and Nuvem constituencies due to its high concentration of ST population.
The court has issued notices to the respondents, which are returnable by October 24 while the next hearing is scheduled on October 27.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, Gaonkar questioned the intention of the authorities for not implementing the reservations till date. “Two elections have been held and now we are heading towards 2022 elections, but there is no word about implementing 12 per cent ST reservation. What is the reason for a prolonged delay? Many other States have complied with the reservation. It is our right,” he said.
