Goa to urge Centre to extend assembly reservations

Panaji, Jan 18 (UNI) In a significant decision, the Goa Cabinet today resolved to recommend to the Centre to extend 19.5 per cent reservation to OBCs and 12 per cent to scheduled tribes in assembly constituencies.

Informing this to mediapersons in his post-Cabinet meeting briefing, Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane said this was based on the survey of the communities in Goa.

It has also resolved to include 12 more communities, including Dhangars, Christian Kumbhars and Dhobis, in the OBC list at the earliest. The decisions precede the Goa assembly elections which are due in May.

The government has also decided to amend the Panchayat Raj Act to provide for appointment of civil administrators for Panchayat bodies if the state can not hold elections by the end of this month.

The government has also identified various areas of power for devolving them to the panchayats with effect from April 1 this year. The areas include transport subsidy, construction of toilets and water supply.

UNI