QUEPEM, SEPT 6
If officials at the Quepem Municipal council (QMC) are to be believed, the ST population in Quepem is a mere 2,667 of the total population of 14,016.
However, ST leaders from QMC have questioned the statistics, claiming that the ST population of QMC is over 30% of the total population.
The QMC was repling to a letter dated February 5, 2010, issued by Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) seeking details of the total population, SC, ST and OBC population for reservation of seats.
In its reply, the QMC stated that the total population of QMC is 14,016, of which the ST population is 2,667, SC (55) and OBC (1,820).
The QMC also provided a detailed ward-wise breakup of the population. Ward 1 has 1,070 people (SC-3, ST-230 and OBC-100), Ward 2 has 1,943 people (SC-4, ST-10 and OBC-1,200), Ward 3 has 1,813 people (SC-4, ST-200 and OBC-105), Ward 4 has 2,430 people (SC-4, ST-120 and OBC-100), Ward 5 has 1,519 people (SC-3, ST-300 and OBC-110), Ward 6 has 1,132 people (SC-8, ST-800 and OBC-40), Ward 7 has 1,124 people (SC-6, ST-850 and OBC-50), Ward 8 has 1,107 people (SC-12, ST-125 and OBC-50), Ward 9 has 954 people (SC-5, ST-2 and OBC-60) and Ward 10 has 924 people (SC-6, ST-30 and OBC-15).
As per the Census 2000, the total population of QMC was 12,573. If one calculates a 3% yearly increase in the population, then the total population of QMC in 2010 will be around 16,000 and including the migrants it will be around 16,500.
Quepem election presiding officer informed that in June 2010, the total voters of entire QMC was around 10,052.
Speaking to Herald, ST leaders from QMC said the ST population of QMC is over 30% of the total population.
“In about four wards, Scheduled Tribes are in majority, while except in Ward No 9, in all other wards there is sizeable ST population,” informed the ST leaders.
“Our Association has already intimated the DMA with this effect. However, at the time of furnishing the ST population ward wise details to the DMA, the councilors have given the figure of ST population as per their whims and fancies,” alleged the ST leaders.
“In some wards, ST population is not even shown as 10%. This is done intentionally so as to deny the ST their constitutional right of reservation of municipal seats,” claimed the leaders.
