Not a day goes by without reading an ad or listening to a commercial sing praises about the government and its roll call of achievements.
Mega infrastructural projects and advancements in science, technology, space and more, garner headlines across the nation and State, leaving readers amazed and impressed.
But, what is the government doing for those who have no voice, the neglected and the vulnerable? Are its endeavours towards their cause deserving of applause, or is it non-existent or merely confined to paper?
In Goa, the government's efforts deserve attention – albeit for the wrong reasons.
Chairperson Borges' letter exposes a decade of decay within the child protection framework in Goa, underscoring a shocking disregard for the welfare of the State's most vulnerable citizens.
Now, in a resounding call to action, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has issued a scathing indictment of the State's failing child protection services.
The Commission's Chairperson, Peter F Borges, in an impassioned letter to the Chief Secretary, has laid bare the systemic neglect and dire state of child welfare and protection in Goa.
DECADE OF DECAY
Chairperson Borges' letter exposes a decade of decay within the child protection framework in Goa, underscoring a shocking disregard for the welfare of the State's most vulnerable citizens.
"The Integrated Child Protection Scheme, meant to be a beacon of hope, has been reduced to a shadow in Goa, marking us as a national emblem of failure in childcare and protection. This is not just disappointing; it is an outright disgrace," Borges stated in the letter.
STRING OF FAILURES
The Commission has outlined a series of egregious failures, from the neglect in setting up essential frameworks for Mission Vatsalya to the dire state of childline services, and the crumbling infrastructure supporting Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs).
"We have watched, frustrated and betrayed, as our systems, meant to protect the most vulnerable, crumbled from within due to pervasive inertia and disregard," Borges remarked.
We have watched, frustrated and betrayed, as our systems, meant to protect the most vulnerable, crumbled from within due to pervasive inertia and disregard
Peter F Borges, Goa SCPCR Chairperson
NO GOVT FUNDS FOR CHILD PROTECTION?
Highlighting the profound fiscal neglect, Chairperson Borges criticised the glaring disparity in funding allocation, questioning the State's priorities.
"Amidst the abundance of financial resources for myriad sectors, why do we falter in prioritising the protection and well-being of our children?" Borges asked, demanding a critical reassessment of fiscal policies to prioritise children's safety and development.
UNPAID CHILDLINE STAFF
A particularly grave concern, brought to light by Chairperson Borges, involves the financial and operational neglect of Childline services, crucial for the protection and welfare of children in distress.
"The relentless dedication of the 24/7 Childline team has gone unpaid for over eight agonising months, while operational negligence looms large, putting at risk the continuity of this critical service and, with it, the safety of countless vulnerable children," Borges asserts.
This neglect underscores the urgent need for swift action to address the financial and administrative shortcomings that threaten this essential lifeline for children in need.
The relentless dedication of the 24/7 Childline team has gone unpaid for over eight agonising months, while operational negligence looms large, putting at risk the continuity of this critical service and, with it, the safety of countless vulnerable children
Peter F Borges, Goa SCPCR Chairperson
LACK OF GOVT SUPPORT
The letter also brings to light the challenges faced by the Commission itself, hindered by bureaucratic obstacles, financial constraints, and a lack of adequate support from the State government.
"Our efforts to champion the cause of children's rights and safety are continually obstructed, underscoring a disconcerting indifference towards the welfare and protection of Goa's children," Borges expressed.
This lack of support for the Commission exacerbates the crisis, limiting its ability to effect meaningful change.
LAST CALL
The Commission's letter serves not just as a warning, but as an ultimatum to the State government. Immediate convening of a stakeholder meeting within a week has been directed, emphasising the need for radical reforms to address the crisis.
Immediate convening of a stakeholder meeting within a week has been directed, emphasising the need for radical reforms to address the crisis.
"This is a moral imperative. The eyes of our children, full of hope and seeking justice, are upon us. We cannot – and must not – let them down," Borges declared, indicating the Commission's readiness to escalate matters judicially if necessary.
"We are confronted with a crisis that cannot be ignored. To do so would be to forsake the children of Goa, condemning them to a future devoid of the safety, care and opportunities they rightfully deserve," Borges declared.
