MARGAO: In an effort to address the ongoing child protection crisis in Goa, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has sent a strong follow-up letter to the Chief Secretary (CS).
This action comes in the wake of no response to a previous letter to the CS, which included a demand for a meeting to be convened with the stakeholders concerned. The Commission reiterated its call for the convening of an immediate joint meeting of all the stakeholders, under the leadership of the CS, to engage in comprehensive and constructive dialogue so that these critical issues are resolved.
In this letter, GSCPCR chairperson Peter F Borges highlighted another series of critical issues that have been continuously ignored. This was part of Borges’ attempt to shed light on what he claimed was neglect and bureaucratic indifference that have allowed these problems, as well as the ones highlighted in his previous letter, to persist.
“These issues, pursued relentlessly by the Commission over the last two years, with some emerging more recently, underscore the systemic failures that continue to plague the very foundations meant to support and nurture our children. It is imperative that these concerns are not just acknowledged but addressed with the urgency and seriousness they deserve,” said Borges.
The failure of the State government to enforce the State Mental Health Rules 2017; the failure to notify the HIV & AIDS Act 2017; the appalling neglect of special schools; the dire situation of street children; the inefficiency in the system of compensation for sexually abused children; the critical gap in policing for POCSO cases; the collapse of Mission Vatsalya (scheme); the alarming backlog of POCSO cases; the non-utilisation of the Juvenile Justice Fund; and the lax response to protecting children in sports and education were all outlined as areas requiring urgent attention.
“Despite the existence of comprehensive mechanisms and guidelines to safeguard street children, the reality on the ground is grim,” said Borges.
“The State’s handling of compensation for sexually abused children is deeply troubling. The system’s inefficiency and bureaucratic obstacles have unjustly denied these victims the compensation they rightfully deserve,” Borges added.
“Moreover, the Juvenile Justice Fund, set up through the persistent efforts of the Commission, has been allocated a paltry sum of Rs 5 lakh, unspent and carried forward over several years,” said Borges.
“The deliberate bureaucratic hurdles impeding the effective functioning of the Commission are indefensible,” the Chairperson said, while emphasising the gravity of the situation.
“These obstacles hinder the Commission’s crucial work. Despite these challenges, the Commission has made significant contributions to child protection in Goa, marking pivotal advancements that deserve not only recognition but also reinforcement through strengthened support and resources,” Borges added.
“Recommendations and directives, grounded in the harsh realities faced by our children and aimed at rectifying years of neglect and inaction, remain unimplemented. We must break the chains of bureaucratic indifference and take decisive action that will pave the way for a future where every child is valued, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive,” he added.
