MARGAO: The United Tribals Associations Alliance (UTAA) has demanded that four seats in the Goa Legislative Assembly be reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community before the 2027 State elections.
This demand was put forward by UTAA president Prakash Velip while addressing media persons in Margao, on Wednesday. He was accompanied by other UTAA leaders.
Velip was reacting to the Union government introducing a Bill in Parliament on August 5, to reserve constituencies for STs in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
The Bill – Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 – was introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
Velip extended his gratitude to the Law Minister as well as the Home Minister, Prime Minister and both the Central and State governments.
Velip added that UTAA representatives had also received assurances from the Law Minister that all the work and processes involved in getting the reservation as soon as possible will be expedited. He also explained the role the Election Commission of India (ECI) will play in these matters.
Velip added that the ST population in Goa was nearly 10% and thus it is their right to get four seats reserved before the next election.
Recalling the history of agitations and movements for reservations in Goa and also recent events, Velip thanked the stakeholders and elected representatives for their role in finally giving justice to their ST community.
