“That said, any scheme that carries this much compassion must be shielded from manipulation. India has seen how well-intended welfare measures can be twisted by those who know how to work the system. Compassionate appointments in particular have, over the years, attracted criticism for becoming a backdoor into government service for select families rather than a safety net for those in real distress. The more discretion a policy offers, the greater the need for vigilance.
While prioritising orphans is ethically sound, the administration must ensure that the verification process is watertight. Documentation must be thorough.”
The Goa Cabinet’s decision to amend the compensation scheme and give priority to children who have lost both parents is a step the state can be proud of. It affirms something fundamental. When a child’s world collapses, the government must not look away. It must step in and help rebuild that life with urgency and dignity. By placing orphans at the front of the line for compassionate appointments, the state has drawn a clear moral line. It recognises that children who suddenly lose their support system face immediate and lifelong challenges. Timely assistance is not a privilege for them. It is a necessity.
This reform matters because it acknowledges a truth often overlooked in the machinery of governance. When a government employee dies while still in service, the emotional and financial impact on the family can be devastating. For orphaned children, the situation is far more dire. They are left navigating grief as well as the burden of survival. Prioritising their cases gives them a real chance at stability and continuity. It can help them rise above circumstances that would otherwise swallow their potential.
The Goa government’s decision also reflects a deeper shift. It shows an administration willing to adapt rules in response to social realities instead of treating policy as a rigid manual. Providing the flexibility to relax certain provisions can help officials respond humanely when a rule stands in the way of rightful relief. Policies exist to protect people, not to manufacture obstacles for the most vulnerable.
That said, any scheme that carries this much compassion must be shielded from manipulation. India has seen how well-intended welfare measures can be twisted by those who know how to work the system. Compassionate appointments in particular have, over the years, attracted criticism for becoming a backdoor into government service for select families rather than a safety net for those in real distress. The more discretion a policy offers, the greater the need for vigilance.
While prioritising orphans is ethically sound, the administration must ensure that the verification process is watertight. Documentation must be thorough. The status of the child should be clearly established. Financial conditions should be assessed along defined parameters. Every approval should leave behind a clear paper trail so that no future doubt arises. What should never happen is the misuse of a child’s tragedy to secure a job for someone who is not entitled to it.
Equally important is the need to maintain balance. The purpose of the scheme is not merely to provide employment but to offer relief where there is genuine hardship. That means every case must be evaluated on need, not only on category. There may be orphaned children who already have sufficient support from extended family or other means. Meanwhile, there may be single-parent households struggling far more. The government must apply the rule with empathy but also with fairness, ensuring the most vulnerable get assistance first.
Another safeguard must come from transparency. Publishing broad data on approvals, pending cases, and the time taken to process them can help build trust. Independent review mechanisms, even if periodic, would keep the scheme accountable and clean. Civil society and media scrutiny will also play a role. A compassionate law cannot flourish in silence. It thrives in the light.
In recognising the deep insecurity faced by orphaned children, the government has made a powerful statement. It has placed humanity above paperwork and shown that welfare, when done right, can restore dignity. But compassion must travel with caution. Good policy must be protected from those who see opportunity in despair. Goa has taken a commendable stride. It must now ensure that every stride that follows is just as sincere and just as honest.
