• The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 5, 2024.  The Bill seeks to  reserve seats in the Goa Legislative Assembly for Scheduled Tribes (STs).  The Statement of Objects and Reasons to the Bill noted that currently, there is no reservation for persons belonging to ST communities in the Goa Assembly.  This is due to negligible population of recognised ST communities historically.  However, this has changed with recognition of certain communities as STs over time.

• Estimation of ST population for reservation:  The Bill requires the Census Commissioner to estimate the population of the persons belonging to ST communities in the state.  The estimation will be based on the 2001 census.  The Census Commissioner is appointed by the central government under the Census Act, 1948.

• Determination of reservation:  The Election Commission will make amendments to the Delimitation Order to provide for the reservation of seats in the Assembly.  This will be based on the population determined by the Census Commissioner.  The Election Commission must invite suggestions from public and consider objections before making amendments to the Delimitation Order.  The reservation will be applicable to all elections held onward from the dissolution of the current Assembly.
   

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