Digital Goa, June 14 – Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has informed the Goa government that its proposal seeking inclusion of the Gouly-Dhangar community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category has been rejected as it did not find favour with the Registrar General of India (RGI). The communication was received by the Goa government nearly two months ago, community leaders said on Sunday. The rejection comes as a setback to the Gouly-Dhangar community, which has been pursuing ST status matter for over 23 years. Following the development, statewide leaders of the Dhangar community convened a meeting to discuss the future course of action. Gomantak Dhangar Samajonatti Mandal President and former Dy CM Chandrakant Kavlekar said the community has decided to seek the intervention of CM Sawant. Kavlekar said the CM will be urged to lead a delegation to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and impress upon the authorities that the proposal has been wrongly rejected and should be reconsidered. The community will also request the CM to take a state delegation to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and seek his intervention in the matter. Expressing confidence in the CM’s efforts, Kavlekar said the community remains hopeful of eventually securing ST status. Dhangar leaders also appealed to ST MLAs and tribal leaders in Goa to extend support to their demand.
