Curchorem: The Dhangar community has given the government an August 15 deadline to take a decision on its demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, warning that it would launch a statewide agitation after August 27 if the demand is not addressed.
A special meeting was organised by the Gomantak Dhangar Samajonnanti Mandal, Sanguem taluka, at Srisan Hall in Sanguem on Sunday. The meeting was held to demand inclusion of the community in the ST category, reservation and special schemes for its development.
Addressing the delegates, senior community leader Laximan Kulekar said he was dissatisfied with the non-inclusion of the community in the ST category.
He said only assurances had been given to the community since the tenure of Manohar Parrikar as chief minister.
“Parrikar has assured us that a decision in this regard would be taken within six months. But after Parrikar, two chief ministers came to power but our demand remained pending,” he said.
Kulekar said that the present Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured that a decision will be taken within hundred days.
“Now we are losing patience and I give the ultimatum to the government that a decision has to be taken by August 15. Otherwise, we will be compelled to launch a statewide agitation after August 27,” he said.
Former deputy chief minister and president of the Gomantak Dhangar Samajonnanti Mandal, Chandrakant Kavlekar said he had repeatedly raised the issue of including the Dhangar community in the ST category on the floor of the Assembly.
“Every time Sawant was giving an assurance and a decision was even taken in this regard. But after me there was no follow-up on the issue,” he said.
Kavlekar also said the Mandal had taken efforts on the issue, including by approaching the central government.
“We want justice and we shall demand it in a peaceful manner till we get justice,” he said.
