Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Akhil Goa Dhangar Samaj has issued an August 15 deadline to the government to resolve its long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, warning that the community will launch an intensified statewide agitation if no decision is taken by then.
The community, which has been seeking ST recognition for nearly 23 years, said the process has reached its final stage and that all required formalities have already been completed. According to its leaders, the matter now depends solely on the government’s willingness to take a final call.
Representatives of the Samaj said repeated assurances from successive governments have failed to translate into action, leaving the community frustrated over the prolonged delay.
To chart the future course of the movement, the organisation recently held meetings in South Goa and the Kushavati region. Members reviewed the status of the demand and unanimously resolved to strengthen the campaign across the State.
As part of the next phase, the Samaj plans to expand awareness programmes and mobilise support at the village and taluka levels to ensure greater public participation in the movement.
Community leaders maintained that the government should act without further delay and bring clarity to the issue. They warned that if the demand remains unresolved beyond August 15, the Samaj will escalate its campaign through democratic means and launch a more vigorous statewide protest to press for ST recognition.
