Porvorim (Goa)  For the  first time, the schedule caste community will have reservation in the Panchayat elections, which are scheduled to be held on June 11.

“The unique feature of this election is that for the very first time there is going to be reservation for SC. Total nine wards have been reserved for SC, which is almost 2 percent,” Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho told media persons.

He said that SC never had reservation of wards, but were nominated.

There is also going to be 12 percent reservation for Schedule Tribe (ST), 27 percent for Other Backward Class (OBC) and 33 percent reservation for women. The notification in regards to the reservation would be issued on May 9.

Total 186 village Panchayats with 1522 wards would be going for polls on June 11.

Godinho said that as recommended by the State Election Commission (SEC), government has decided to hold Panchayat elections on June 11 and the notification for the same would be issued post May 10.

The five-year term of the existing Panchayat body ends on May 26.

While hearing a petition, Bombay High Court at Goa had directed the State government to hold election on or before June 12.

The government had earlier announced to hold the polls on June 25 and then later preponed the same to June 17. On the other hand, the SEC had recommended holding elections on May 21.

Team TNV