Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Provide ST Reservation in Goa Assembly
The Lok Sabha passed a bill to provide reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the 40-member Goa Assembly. The 'Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2025' addresses the significant increase in the state's ST population, which stands at nearly 1.5 lakh according to the 2011 census. Until now, no seats were reserved for the ST community, denying them constitutional representation despite their numbers being considerably higher than the Scheduled Caste population.
Unpacked:
Although the Gawda, Kunbi, and Velip communities were granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in 2003, reservations for STs in the Goa Assembly were not implemented due to administrative delays, lack of political consensus, and a freeze on reservation policy until 2026. Despite repeated demands, the community was denied their constitutional right for over 20 years.
The primary Scheduled Tribe communities in Goa are the Gawda, Kunbi, and Velip. They were officially granted ST status in 2003 following recognition of their distinct cultural, historical, and social identities as per the criteria outlined in the Constitution of India.
The number of reserved seats is determined by the proportion of the ST population to Goa’s total population, as per Article 332(3) of the Indian Constitution. With STs comprising about 10.23% of the population, they are entitled to four reserved seats in the 40-member assembly.
The reservation will likely increase political representation and influence of ST communities, making their concerns more central to legislative discussions. It may also shift electoral dynamics as political parties adjust candidate selection and campaign strategies to appeal to ST voters.