Will discuss Goa’s ST quota issue in Rajya Sabha: Athawale

Panaji: Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Wednesday said reservation for Scheduled Tribes should be in proportion to their population in the state. He added that the issue of ST political reservation in Goa is under consideration and will be taken up in the Rajya Sabha.

Athawale chaired a review meeting with officials of the social welfare department and assessed the implementation of key welfare schemes

“Central govt is giving priority to welfare oriented schemes for scheduled castes, OBCs, senior citizens, sanitation workers and PwDs. Which is why an effective co-ordination between central and state govt is essential for implementation of welfare schemes and ensuring benefits reach the intended beneficiaries,” Athawale said.

He said the ST population in Goa, at around 2%, makes the provision of reservation “a little challenging”.

“Most of the people from ST communities are migrants from other states who cannot be enrolled in the state caste list. Every state has its own caste list. A Goan ST individual can benefit from reservation from the Goa caste list,” he said.