Margao: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday pledged to secure political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the state legislature ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Sawant made the commitment while addressing a gathering of tribals at the ‘Prerana Din’ function in Quepem, organised in memory of Dilip Velip and Mangesh Gaonkar, who laid down their lives during the 2011 tribal agitation at Balli.
Background of the Demand
The chief minister’s assurance comes weeks after ‘Mission Political Reservation for Scheduled Tribes of Goa’ issued a 15-day ultimatum to state government in early April, demanding it coordinate with the Centre to notify the appointed date for the commencement of ‘The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Act, 2025’. The legislation, which received presidential assent and was published in the gazette over six months ago, can come into force only after the central government issues a separate notification specifying the date.
Progress on Tribal Bhavan
On the long-delayed Tribal Bhavan, Sawant said the government is committed to resolving the issues that have delayed the project, such as land disputes and pending litigation cases across multiple courts. The project received administrative approval in October 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs 87.5 crore and has seen its revised price tag climb to Rs 97 crore.
Forest Rights Act Implementation
Sawant reiterated the government’s resolve to issue sanads under the Forest Rights Act to eligible tribal families. Out of 10,000 applications, 1,000 sanads have been issued so far. The chief minister emphasized that the government is working to expedite the process and ensure that all eligible families receive their rightful entitlements.
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