Social discrimination prevalent in North Goa, says minister

Dhargalim, a cluster of villages in North Goa is apparently not yet relieved from social discrimination, said Panchayat Raj State Minister Manohar Asgaonkar on Tuesday

A cluster of villages in North Goa is apparently not yet relieved from social discrimination, a state minister said on Tuesday.

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Panchayat Raj Minister Manohar Asgaonkar, who himself belongs to scheduled caste (SC) and represents Dhargalim constituency, told the State Legislative Assembly today that many in his constituency still follow conservative norms, fostering social discrimination.

"There are hotels and tea shops in my constituency where SC community people are served in separate cups. I told them that we can complaint about this to the authorities concerned but they fear for the social implications," Asgaonkar told the Assembly.

"They feel that the minister will not be there for ever to protect them so they think it is better to digest the insult and keep mum," Asgaonkar told the session.

Asgaonkar is a three time MLA from this constituency, bordering Goa-Maharashtra.

The minister was speaking on the government resolution to ratify the amendment to the Constitution of India falling within the purview of clause (d) of the provision to clause (2) of Article 368, proposed to be made by the Constitution (one hundred and ninth amendment) bill, 2009, as passed by both the Houses of Parliament.