Goa Assembly: New Bill Seeks Reserved Seats for Scheduled Tribes

Goa Assembly: August 5, 2024 – The Union government has taken a significant step towards enhancing the representation of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Goa Legislative Assembly. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the “Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024” in the Lok Sabha. This Bill aims to reserve seats for STs in the Goa Assembly, where currently, they have no reserved representation.

Purpose of the Bill

The Bill empowers the census commissioner to ascertain the ST population in Goa and publicize the findings. This process will enable the Election Commission (EC) to reconfigure assembly seats, ensuring the underrepresented ST community receives their rightful constitutional benefits.

Historical Context

The 2011 census revealed a significant increase in Goa’s ST population, rising from 566 in 2001 to 149,275 in 2011. This surge followed the 2003 inclusion of three communities—Kunbi, Gawda, and Velip—into the ST list. Despite this population growth, no assembly seats have been reserved for STs, highlighting an unusual and pressing need for legislative adjustment.

Current Legislative Framework

The Goa Assembly currently comprises 40 members, with only one seat reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs). Given the 2011 census data showing a much larger ST population, there is a clear disparity that necessitates legislative changes to ensure equitable representation.

Impact of the Proposed Bill

The proposed Bill will facilitate the EC’s ability to amend the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008. Upon enactment, it will allow for the adjustment of constituency boundaries based on updated ST population statistics, thereby creating reserved seats for STs.

Approval Process and Next Steps

The Union Cabinet approved the Bill in March, ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule on March 16. Passing this Bill is crucial for enhancing the representation of Goa’s STs in governance, marking a pivotal step towards equitable political inclusion.