Team Herald
MARGAO: South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has expressed his disappointment over the postponement of the discussion on the ST reservation Bill for the Goa Assembly in Parliament. The Bill, which is crucial for securing political reservations for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities in Goa, was expected to be discussed during the ongoing session. However, with the session now adjourned, Fernandes noted that the Bill’s discussion will likely be pushed to the next session.
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Speaking to media personnel outside the Parliament, Fernandes shared his frustration over the delay, especially given the significance of the Bill for Goa’s ST communities. He emphasised that it was particularly disheartening that the Bill was postponed on World Tribal Day, a day meant to honour and recognise the rights and contributions of tribal communities. Fernandes pointed out that passing the Bill on this day would have been a significant step towards addressing the long-standing injustices faced by these communities in Goa.
The Congress party, Fernandes added, had been prepared to debate and support the Bill, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi explicitly backing it. However, Gandhi had set the condition that the political reservation among the Goa Assembly seats should be implemented before the 2027 Goa State elections. Fernandes also mentioned that while the Gowda, Kunbi, and Velip communities are currently recognised as STs and would benefit from the Bill, the Congress is working to include the Dhangar community in the list of recognised tribal communities as well.
