TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) expressed displeasure as no seat has been reserved for the ST community at the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) polls on May 12.
Addressing reporters at Ponda on Wednesday, UTAA Convenor Govind Gaude claimed that the State government had given 12 percent reservation at panchayat, zilla panchayat and municipal councils.
“The reservation was done considering 12 percent population based on the Survey Report 2004 conducted by the Backward Class Commission under the supervision of Department of Planning and Statistics Goa,” stated Gaude.
“The authorities have deprived the ST community of its fundamental right by not giving 12 percent reservation for Schedule Tribes in the PMC election. This is unfortunate and we at UTAA have condemned the decision,” said Gaude.
“I request the State government to intervene in the matter so that ST community is given justice,” urged Gaude.
According to information, three seats are reserved for OBCs in the 14 wards of PMC and UTAA members said the authorities should have reserved one ward for the ST.
“There are number of ST community people in PMC and I feel not giving reservation is politically motivated. It is interesting to note that before assembly polls, BJP had supported various demands of the ST community and now the situation seems to be different,” claimed Gaude.
UTAA has submitted a memorandum to the Directorate of Municipal Administration.
