Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Government has expanded the State’s list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) by including several additional communities for the purpose of political reservation in Zilla Panchayats.
The Directorate of Panchayats issued a notification on Monday (November 10), stating that the decision follows recommendations made by the Goa State Commission for Backward Classes. The updated list now includes Christian Kumbhar, Christian Mahar, Christian Barber, Christian Dhobi, Christian Kharvi, and Christian Render — marking a significant inclusion of Christian sub-groups for the first time in the OBC category for local body representation.
The complete list features 19 communities: Kumbhar (including Christian Kumbhar), Teli, Shimpi, Christian Mahar, Kalaikar/Blacksmith/Tinsmith, Pagui/Gabit, Christian Barber, Satarkar, Bhandari Naik, Dhobi/Rajak/Madval (including Christian Dhobi), Nhavi/Nai/Nabhik/Napit/Mahalo, Koli/Kharvi (including Christian Kharvi), Nathjogi, Gosavi, Dhangar, Vishwakarma/Chari/Mesta, Thakar, Komarpant, and Christian Render.
The notification specifies that this revised list will remain valid throughout the term of the upcoming Zilla Panchayat general elections in 2025.
Director of Panchayats and ex officio Joint Secretary Mahadev Araundekar issued the order with government approval, inviting public suggestions via dir-gpps.goa@nic.in.
Officials said the move aims to ensure broader and more inclusive representation of socially and economically backward groups — particularly among Goa’s minority and traditional occupational communities — in the state’s local governance framework.
