Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Oct 31: The Goa government has decided to approach the Supreme Court to safeguard the process of granting political reservation to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in the Goa Legislative Assembly following an interim order passed by the Bombay High Court at Goa.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday to discuss the legal implications of the High Court's order and determine the next course of action on the long-pending demand for political reservation for the ST community.
The High Court on Thursday restrained the Census Commissioner from notifying the ST population figures for Goa, dealing a setback to the government's efforts to complete the process of delimitation and reserve Assembly constituencies for the community ahead of the 2027 state elections.
The meeting was attended by Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Ganesh Gaonkar, Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Advocate General Devidas Pangam, BJP Goa president Damodar Naik, Goa Law Commission chairman Adv Narendra Sawaikar and prominent leaders and representatives of the ST community.
After detailed discussions, the meeting unanimously resolved to approach the Supreme Court and take all necessary legal steps to protect the interests of the ST community and ensure that the political reservation process moves forward.
As an immediate step, a delegation led by Tawadkar will travel to New Delhi to meet Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta. The delegation will discuss the legal options available and the further proceedings to be initiated before the Supreme Court.
Chief Minister Sawant reiterated that the state government remained firmly committed to securing political reservation for the ST community in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Following Thursday's High Court order, Sawant had said the state government would urge the Centre to approach the Supreme Court to safeguard the interests of the ST community amid legal obstacles to implementing the reservation.
On Friday, he said the government had consistently pursued the long-pending demand with the Centre and would continue making every possible effort to overcome the legal hurdles.
Sawant also reaffirmed the government's resolve to ensure political representation for the ST community ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
The high-level meeting came amid demands from sections of the ST community that the state government take immediate legal action if it was serious about securing political reservation for the community.
The issue has remained a significant concern for the ST community, which has been seeking representation in the state legislature through reserved Assembly constituencies.