Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said a delegation led by tribal welfare minister Ramesh Tawadkar will meet Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in New Delhi on Monday to discuss a strategy to secure political reservation for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community before the 2027 assembly elections.Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Sawant said state govt has decided to approach the Supreme Court to overcome the legal hurdles.“As a chief minister, I made all the efforts to get reservation for the ST community,” said Sawant. “On Monday a meeting has been fixed with Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta for which Ramesh Tawadkar, Ganesh Gaonkar and Narendra Sawaikar will be going to Delhi along with representatives of the ST community to decide how to go ahead, what strategy to take.”Sawant chaired a high-level meeting on Friday with speaker Ganesh Gaonkar, Tawadkar, advocate general Devidas Pangam, BJP Goa president Damu Naik, Sawaikar and ST community representatives to discuss the interim order passed by the Bombay high court at Goa.“We are clear that Goa should get ST reservation and govt is making all efforts towards that,” said Sawant.The meeting discussed the legal implications of the high court’s interim order and steps needed to safeguard the interests of the ST community. Those present unanimously decided to approach the Supreme Court and pursue all necessary legal measures to protect the process of granting political reservation to the community.BOXPanaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant urged Goans to participate in the Census 2027 enumeration process to ensure accurate data, stressing that the exercise is essential for development. He said self-enumeration will be conducted from Nov 16 to 30, followed by the regular enumeration process from Dec 1 to Jan 4.Speaking at the Run for Unity programme, Sawant called on people to spread awareness about Census 2027.“The census has begun and everyone should ensure that they self-enumerate from Nov 16. It is our census for our development,” said Sawant.“It is a very simple process. I want every Goan to cooperate, collaborate and coordinate,” the chief minister said.Sawant also paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, saying Patel had favoured Goa’s liberation in 1950 but was held back by then prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s concerns over the use of violence and the possible repercussions from foreign nations.
