19 Apr 2024 | 09:28pm IST
5-year old girl rape & murder: Child Rights Commission serves summons to Labour Commissioner, developers of Vaddem building
Calls for urgent Enforcement of Child Rights in Goa’s Construction Sites
Team Herald
The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has taken a firm stand against child rights violations at the New Vaddem Vasco construction site, following the tragic abuse and death of a 5-year-old girl. This incident has brought to light the severe and unacceptable living conditions endured by children and their families at this site.
The GSCPCR, a statutory body empowered by the law, is mandated to oversee the safeguarding of children's rights and investigate complaints regarding the deprivation of these rights. The Commission has exercised its legal authority to summon the Chief Labour Commissioner and the Managing Director of Ambiance Real Estate Developers to a critical hearing scheduled for May 2, 2024. This meeting aims to directly address the infractions and ensure comprehensive remedial measures are swiftly implemented.
Chairperson Mr. Peter F. Borges strongly condemned the neglect and abuse found during the inspections. "The protection of our children's rights goes beyond the basics of compassion; it is embedded in the rule of law, woven into the very fabric of our society. We have been confronted with a scenario where our children, instead of playing and learning, are battling survival amidst perilous living conditions. This cannot and will not continue under our oversight," stated Mr. Borges.
He added, "Our society’s most vulnerable members must not be treated with such blatant disregard. This Commission will ensure accountability and justice. We expect full cooperation and immediate action from all parties involved to rectify these violations and to re-establish a safe environment for our children."
The visit to the construction site by Chairperson Mr. Peter F. Borges was a moment in bringing the dire conditions to light. According to the official notice, "During an inspection led by the Hon’ble Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the family of the victim was discovered living under extremely inhumane conditions directly at the construction site". This visit was instrumental in uncovering the hazardous living quarters, unsafe environment, and overall neglect of basic safety and welfare provisions mandated by law. The Chairperson's firsthand observations have been critical in initiating the formal proceedings against those responsible for the oversight and mistreatment at the site.
Details of the Violations and Expected Outcomes
The Commission has highlighted several breaches of the Buildings and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996:
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Unsafe Living Conditions: The children and families were found living in makeshift accommodations amid hazardous materials and without basic utilities.
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Absence of Creche Facilities: The site blatantly disregarded the requirement to provide creche facilities, crucial for the welfare of the children of construction workers.
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General Safety Violations: The overall safety at the site was compromised, with no measures in place to prevent injury or ensure basic sanitation.
The hearing will address these issues comprehensively. The responsible parties are expected to present detailed reports and plans to overhaul the current conditions. Failure to comply with these expectations will lead to stern legal actions under relevant statutes.
