Panaji, June 19: A representation has been submitted to the Election Commission of India seeking a review of the continued Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation of the Pernem Assembly Constituency, formerly known as the Dhargalim Assembly Constituency. The petitioner has argued that the constituency has remained reserved for the SC category for more than four decades without any rotation, raising concerns about constitutional equality and democratic representation.

The representation, addressed to the Secretary of the Election Commission of India through the Chief Electoral Officer of Goa, contends that the uninterrupted reservation of the constituency since 1977 has deprived a significant section of citizens of the opportunity to contest elections from the constituency.

According to the representation, the erstwhile Dhargalim Assembly Constituency was reserved for Scheduled Castes from 1977 onwards. Following the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission under the 2008 delimitation exercise, the Dhargalim constituency was merged into the Pernem Assembly Constituency. However, despite the merger, the reservation status continued, resulting in the region remaining under SC reservation for over 45 years.

The petitioner has argued that while Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution provide for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, such reservations are intended to be reviewed and rotated periodically rather than remain permanent. The representation further claims that the continuous reservation of a single constituency is contrary to the spirit of constitutional provisions governing democratic representation.

The representation also raises concerns under Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, as well as Articles 19 and 325, arguing that prolonged reservation without rotation adversely affects the democratic rights of other sections of society.

It has further been stated that the present demographic composition of the Pernem constituency does not justify the continuation of its reserved status and that changes in population patterns and social development warrant a fresh assessment of the constituency’s reservation status.

Seeking corrective measures, the petitioner has requested the Election Commission to immediately review and reconsider the continued SC reservation of the Pernem Assembly Constituency, implement the principle of rotation of reserved seats, and ensure that public consultations are held in Pernem and Dhargalim during any future delimitation exercise.

The representation also states that if no action is taken on the matter, the petitioner reserves the right to approach the High Court under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution for appropriate relief and enforcement of constitutional rights.

The matter is expected to gain attention in political circles, particularly in North Goa, as Pernem remains the only Assembly constituency in Goa currently reserved for the Scheduled Caste category.