Parliamentary business in the Lok Sabha was again disrupted on Wednesday as continuous disruptions by the Opposition blocked the introduction and passage of an important legislative proposal to ensure political representation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in Goa.
The ruckus in the House arose due to Opposition members insisting on a prompt debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise carried out in Bihar, which is a matter that has further charged tensions in the current session.
During the post-lunch session, Speaker Krishna Prasad Tenneti notified members that the items on the agenda were discussion and adoption of The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also highlighted the significance of the bill, describing its introduction as an important step toward protecting the political rights and representation of the state's tribal people.
"It's greatly shameful and reprehensible that the Opposition parties – Indian National Congress and the INDI Alliance have again displayed their real face by raising a din in the Lok Sabha, disrupting the tabling of a historic and long-overdue bill: The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024," Sawant stated.
He further underlined the Centre’s intentions, asserting that the Narendra Modi-led government, by tabling the bill, had reiterated its dedication to empowering tribal populations and delivering constitutional justice.
"The conduct of the Opposition in Parliament today was not just disrespectful – it was a direct insult to the ST communities of Goa," he added.
At present, the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly does not have a single ST reserved seat. The quota to be provided would be ascertained based on the tribal population ratio in the state.
Political reservation has been an age-old demand by the ST community, who organized statewide agitations last year demanding representation.
As per the Bill text, "It is necessary to pass a law to make enabling provisions authorizing the Election Commission to amend Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008 and reallocate seats in Legislative Assembly of State of Goa in favor of STs."
The Bill also underscored a significant demographic realignment: in the previous delimitation exercise undertaken in 2002, the 2001 Census had counted the ST population of Goa as merely 566 out of a total state population of more than 13 lakh. Since then, this number has increased, requiring legislative readjustment to align with the prevailing demographic reality.
Read also| Election Commission Initiates Process to Elect Next Vice President
Read also| Lok Sabha Adjourned for Third Straight Day Amid Intensifying Opposition Protests
