FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: In the wake of the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl at the New Vaddem construction site in Vasco, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has served summons to the Chief Labour Commissioner of Goa and the project developer responsible for the construction site.
It may be recalled that the Vasco police had arrested two persons in connection with the rape and murder of the child, both natives of Bihar, working at the construction site, as a painter and a mason.
The Commission further said that the incident has shed light on the severe and unacceptable living conditions endured by children and their families at the construction site. During an inspection conducted by GSCPCR, its Chairperson Peter F Borges revealed that the bereaved family was discovered living in inhumane conditions with hazardous living quarters, in an unsafe environment, and overall neglect of welfare provisions mandated by law.
The observations at the inspection have been used in initiating formal proceedings against those responsible for the oversight and mistreatment at the site, the Commission added.
GSCPCR has highlighted several breaches of the Buildings and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996.
“The site blatantly disregarded the requirement to provide creche facilities, crucial for the welfare of the children of construction workers. The overall safety at the site was compromised, with no measures in place to prevent injury or ensure basic sanitation,” read the report.
The Commission added that they exercised their legal authority to summon the Chief Labour Commissioner and the Managing Director of the company concerned, to a hearing scheduled for May 2.
The hearing will address these issues, with the responsible parties expected to present detailed reports and plans to overhaul the current conditions. Failure to comply with these expectations will lead to stern legal action under relevant statutes.
The Chairperson also strongly condemned the neglect and abuse, emphasising that the protection of children’s rights is not only a matter of compassion but also a legal obligation.
