TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday declined to grant 17 per cent reservation to the scheduled tribe (ST) community in Goa stating that the population of the community is much below the reservation they are enjoying at present.
“As per the Census 2011, the ST population in Goa is just 10.80 percent of the total population and still they enjoy 12 percent reservation,” Parrikar said while addressing media persons Wednesday afternoon.
Parrikar said that since the reservations are granted based on the actual
ST population, it is not possible to increase the reservation for ST to 17 per cent. “In 2004, ST population was nearly 12 percent and hence they were given 12 percent reservations in government jobs and education,” he explained.
The chief minister said that he is ready to increase the reservation provided authentic data collected by a registered firm proves that the population is over 17 per cent.
United Tribal Association Alliance (UTTA) has demanded re-survey of the ST population in Goa and increasing the ST reservation to 17 per cent.
