Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has significantly reduced its pending caseload by resolving 24 matters through faster hearings and follow-up inquiries, while broadening its intervention in issues affecting children’s safety, education and well-being.
The Commission said it inherited 46 pending cases after assuming office. During the months of March, April and May, it received six additional complaints, taking the total number of cases before it to 52.
The complaints covered a variety of child rights concerns, including allegations of corporal punishment, custody-related disputes, domestic conflicts affecting children, physical and psychological abuse, neglect, emotional distress and issues linked to schooling.
Apart from hearing complaints, the Commission has also initiated action on broader child protection concerns. It has taken note of the sale of tobacco products in the vicinity of schools and asked the concerned departments to enforce the relevant legal provisions.
The GSCPCR has also reviewed adoption-related matters and urged the agencies involved to speed up procedures so that children awaiting adoption are not subjected to avoidable delays.
As part of efforts to strengthen child protection at the community level, the Commission has recommended the establishment of Village Child Committees and Municipal Child Committees under the Goa Children’s Act to improve local monitoring and support mechanisms.
The panel has further raised concerns relating to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), calling for measures to ease academic stress among students. It has also stressed the need for improved school infrastructure, including separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls, reliable drinking water and better awareness programmes on menstrual health and hygiene for adolescent students.
The Commission said it remains committed to working with government departments, schools and other stakeholders to ensure that children in Goa grow up in a safe, supportive and rights-based environment.
