log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY JUNE 22, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 5 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 5 3 500 kids face uncertain future as tenure of committees ends INDIA CCP to relocate 90 hawkers in sporadic zones across city INDI Alliance leaders raise BJP bogey as campaign for Benaulim ZP by-poll ends INFO Quick tricks to treat dry skin 10 SPORTS ICC T20 WC: Hat-trick hero Cummins stars as Australia wins via DLS method 14 NEW LEASE OF LIFE DEPT YET TO TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS TO CONSTITUTE NEW CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEES IN BOTH DISTRICTS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The fate of at least 500 children in need of care and protection, housed at various government and private institutions, is in limbo as the tenure of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in both districts ended with no new Committee in place. Interestingly, hours before the three-year tenure ended around 11:59 am on Friday, one of the committees received a POCSO case. While the child was soon lodged in Apna Ghar, her release has posed a major challenge for the authorities given that an NGO and a police team from her native State are en route to Goa. In fact, several cases are currently pending including that of a juvenile mother whose newborn was given for adoption while she remains under the CWC care and two rape victims placed in foster care. “CWC must keep track of all Several cases currently pending before the Child Welfare Committees including that of a juvenile mother whose newborn was given for adoption The Act suggests it is mandatory for any person, police official, or others to report to CWC and hand over any lost child or those in need of care Committees have exclusive authority to dispose of cases NO CHILD’S PLAY THIS the children from time to time. At present, the authorities are walking on a tightrope,” said an official. According to the procedure in The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, it is mandatory for any person, police official, or functionary of any organization, etc to report to the CWC and hand over any lost child for care, protection, treatment, development, rehabilitation etc With no extension granted, it would be challenging to pass any order or hold hearings or those in need of care. Moreover, this committee has the exclusive authority to dispose of cases for the care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation as well as provide basic needs and protection, etc until the child is released, rehabilitated, or repatriated. In the current circumstances when even an extension LAST MINUTE CHALLENGE Hours before the three-year tenure ended around 11:59 am on Friday, one of the committees received a POCSO case. While the child was soon lodged in Apna Ghar, her release has posed a challenge for authorities given that an NGO and a police team are en route to Goa is not granted, sources in the Department of Women & Child Development indicated that it would be challenging to pass any order or hold hearings. Sources further stated that despite knowing the Committee’s tenure would end at a specific time, the department allegedly took no proactive steps to constitute a new one. “There was neither any invitation for applications for Chairpersons and members of both Committees nor were the current CWCs granted an extension in the interim period. Now that the CWCs’ tenures are over, the fate of all these children is in limbo,” the source said. An official from Apna Ghar, on the other hand, said they have begun the process of appointing the CWC. The CWC’s tenure is fixed for three years, and reportedly, earlier short-term extensions were granted until a new Committee was appointed. “Without the CWC, a child cannot be admitted, nor can any ongoing inquiry proceed, or repatriation or extension orders be given. The exclusive rights of the CWCs are now absent,” lamented the officer. By law, it is mandatory to present any child before the committee without delay, but within 24 hours, excluding the time necessary for the journey. The banyan tree from St Inez which was translocated to Campal in early April was on Friday unveiled to mark ‘Vat Purnima’. (Report on pg 5) Narayan Pissurlenkar Govt hikes VAT on fuel; petrol, diesel to cost more from today OPPOSITION DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ROLLBACK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa government has announced an increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, effective from June 22. As a result, petrol prices will rise by Rs 1 per litre while diesel prices will see 35 paise per litre increase. Goa is the second State after Karnataka to hike fuel prices this year, incidentally after the Lok Sabha elections. The government attributes the hike to adjustments in the sales tax on petroleum products. The Finance Department’s notification dated June 20, Thursday has sparked controversy with Opposition leaders slamming the government for imposing additional financial burdens on people. >Continued on P6
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