CRG hopeful of effective implementation of Bal Gram Panchayat under the Goa Children’s Act

Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Children’s Rights in Goa (CRG) is a registered NGO dedicated to the protection of children and the implementation of child rights programs. For over two decades, CRG has tirelessly worked to enforce the Goa Children’s Act (2003), a legislative framework designed to safeguard the rights and welfare of children across the state.
CRG, in collaboration with other NGOs, played a crucial role in drafting the Goa Children’s Act (2003). This act includes specific provisions under Section 13(8) and (9) that mandate the establishment of Village Child Committees (VCCs) by each panchayat and City Child Committees (CCCs) in the municipalities of Goa.
These committees are intended to ensure the protection and promotion of child rights at the grassroots level.
Initially, the Village Child Committees existed only on paper, with no tangible impact on the communities they were meant to serve. Recognizing this gap, CRG took decisive action to activate these committees and make them functional.
The first Village Child Committee (VCC) was successfully established in Arambol in 2006. Since then, CRG has been instrumental in organizing Bal Gram Sabhas and Bal Panchayats in several North Goan villages.
These initiatives have empowered children, giving them a platform to voice their concerns and participate in decision-making processes affecting their lives.
We are pleased to learn that the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has recently issued guidelines concerning the implementation of Bal Gram Panchayats. The Directorate of Panchayat is set to enforce these guidelines across all villages in Goa.
This development is a significant step forward in ensuring that the provisions of the Goa Children’s Act are fully realized.
We hope that village panchayats will actively take the initiative to establish VCCs and CCCs, thereby reinforcing the protection of child rights throughout the state.
The activation and proper functioning of these committees are crucial for creating a safer and more supportive environment for all children in Goa.