The Union ministry of tribal affairs has rejected the Goa government's long-standing proposal to include the Gouly-Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribes list of the state. The rejection was communicated through a letter addressed to the state government's director of social welfare, following the office of the registrar general of India (ORGI) declining to support the proposal twice, the second time as recently as March 24.
Background of the Proposal
Goa first submitted the proposal for inclusion of the Gouly-Dhangar community in the ST list in July 2021. The ORGI did not support the proposal initially, prompting the state government to furnish additional information and clarification in December 2023, which was forwarded to the RGI in March 2024. The RGI again declined to back the proposal in June 2024, upon which Goa's letter of September 2, 2024, was referred afresh to the ORGI for examination. In its latest response dated March 24, 2026, the RGI reiterated its earlier position, refusing to endorse Goa's case for the second time.
Government's Response
Responding to media queries, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that they are in dialogue with the community chiefs. The ministry invoked a provision in the modalities governing ST list modifications, which states that if the RGI does not agree with the state government or UT administration's point of view on a second reference, the government of India may consider rejection of the proposal. Acting on this provision, the Centre formally rejected the Gouly-Dhangar inclusion bid.
Modalities for ST List Changes
The modalities, originally approved on June 15, 1999, and subsequently amended in 2002 and 2022, require any such proposal to first be recommended by the state government, then concurred with by both the RGI and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) before it can proceed to legislative amendment. In the Gouly-Dhangar case, the proposal could not clear the RGI hurdle on either occasion.
Community Reaction
The rejection is a significant setback for the Gouly-Dhangar community, which had been hoping for inclusion in the ST list. Community members gathered at Borda-Margao on Sunday and expressed their disappointment over the development. Addressing reporters after the meeting, former minister and President of the Gomantak Dhangar Samajonnati Mandal, Goa, Chandrakant Kavlekar, said that a delegation will soon meet the Chief Minister, requesting him to prevail upon the Centre for a review of its decision.
