PANJIM, AUG 12
The Child Welfare Committee’s office has been shifted to new premises and the sitting of the committee has been recommended to extend for the entire day, the High Court was told today.
A reply, to the report submitted by the Principal District and Session Judge was filed today before the Bombay High Court at Goa by the state government.
As per the reply, nearly Rs 8.50 lakh have been spend by the government for the renovation of the vacant quarters (next to existing CWC building) and the office of CWC has been shifted there.
It also states that the government is planning to build a new block for the sitting of the CWC and Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). “The plans are being approved by the government and the PWD has been asked to prepare the estimates,” the reply reads.
“Till then CWC and JJB may use the same premises allotted to them as continues shift from one place to another would amount to unnecessary wastage of money and manpower,” it adds.
The reply compiled by Sanjiv Gadkar, director of women and child welfare, recommends that the sitting duration for CWC shall be extended to full day that is from 10.am to 1.30pm and from 2.30pm to 5pm.
The recommendation came after High Court pointed out that there is no specific timing for sitting of CWC members.
The double bench comprising of Justice A S Oka and F M Reis was hearing the petition filed by NGO, State Child Abuse Now (SCAN). The court will hear the final argument for proper direction on September 7.
The government in its reply has said that a STD facility, computer and copier machine fax machine and other stationery would be provided at the earliest.
It also states that a separate budgetary provision would be made for CWC under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS).
