Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday reserved for judgment petition by Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar and other seeking directions to government to implement ST reservations in the upcoming State assembly elections.
The final hearing concluded with the submission by Union Government. The petitioners and the Election Commission of India have already submitted their say during the hearing.
Gaonkar and supporters of ST reservation for the 2022 Assembly elections has charged the ECI with failing to explain with cogent reasons for not implementing reservations for ST category in the State Assembly.
The petitioners further pointed out to the court that at present, over three election cycles, the Schedule Tribes in the State are being denied their right to representation in the State Assembly, despite their significantly large population and therefore, the same is in complete violation to the mandate of the Constitution under Article 332 wherein, it envisages that seats shall be reserved.
They further said that the concerned authorities take appropriate steps and ensure that the reservation of seats for schedule tribe category, in accordance to the proportion of their population is implemented with respect to the Goa Assembly elections, 2022.
