Panaji: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday stated that reservation for Scheduled Tribes (ST) should be proportionate to their population in the state. He further mentioned that the matter of ST political reservation in Goa is currently under consideration and will be taken up in the Rajya Sabha.
Review meeting highlights
Athawale chaired a review meeting with officials from the social welfare department to evaluate the implementation of key welfare schemes. He emphasized that the central government is prioritizing welfare-oriented schemes for Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, senior citizens, sanitation workers, and persons with disabilities. Effective coordination between central and state governments is essential for the successful implementation of these schemes and ensuring benefits reach the intended beneficiaries, he added.
Challenges in Goa
Athawale noted that the ST population in Goa is around 2%, making the provision of reservation a little challenging. Most people from ST communities in Goa are migrants from other states and cannot be enrolled in the state caste list. Every state has its own caste list, and a Goan ST individual can only benefit from reservation through the Goa caste list. The minister assured that the issue is being addressed and will be raised in Parliament.
