PANJIM: The tribal leaders have kicked off awareness campaign against State and central governments accusing them of failing to issue notification to reserve four seats in the State Legislative Assembly for Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities.
The meetings were held in Sanguem constituency – one at Kaju-Goto and another at Curpem-Sanguem on March 15, 2024. Tribal leader Rama Kankonkar raised concerns over the 3,000-plus pending ST backlog vacancies to be filled in various government departments, over 9,500 individual forest rights claims and over 125 community forest right claims pending to be settled, pendency of the Scheduled Areas (tribal areas) to be notified as per the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, non-functioning of Tribes Advisory Council and improper allotment and non-utilisation of Tribal Sub Plan funds.
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“Of the total annual budget, the government should allot and spend at least Rs 2,500 crore for the development of tribals per year however only Rs 200-250 crore are spent annually. Out of these funds, some are even diverted to non-ST areas or for other projects which do not benefit tribals. Because of this the tribal villages have remained undeveloped and lack basic amenities like non-availability of proper tar roads, schools, piped potable water supply etc,” Kankonkar said, adding that schemes for welfare of tribals were not being implemented due to lack of funds.
Tribal leader Rupesh Velip said, ”In order to fulfill all the demands of the ST community, we have been demanding to give political reservation in Legislative Assembly for STs since last two years so that community representatives from reserved constituencies can become their voice in the Goa Assembly. We were demanding final notification to reserve four seats for STs. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant slept for nine months in spite of he giving assurance in the Assembly that he will take all-party delegations to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
People present at both the meetings vowed to teach lessons to the current BJP governments.
UTAA downplays concerns
MARGAO: The United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) has welcomed the steps taken by the Central government and the State government with regard to implementing political reservation in the State.
While addressing media persons on Monday, UTAA President Prakash Velip, who was flanked by other tribal leaders, recounted the efforts over the years to get the demands of the tribal community implemented.
Coming to political reservation, UTAA expressed confidence that their dream for political reservation will become a reality soon. He added that it is clear that the mind of the government is to grant political reservation in the State.
Responding to queries, they admitted that there would be some minor delay until the new central government is elected but said that the steps taken so far have paved the way for implementing political reservation in Goa.
Velip also emphasized that UTAA as an organisation is apolitical and will always be apolitical.
They also played down concerns raised by a section of tribal leaders but added that they were entitled to have their opinions.
