Move follows GOACAN’s concerns over rising crimes against children
PANAJI
The Directorate of Panchayats (DoP) has directed the Block Development Officers (BDOs) to ensure the mandatory formation and functioning of the Village Child Committee (VCC) in the respective village panchayats (VPs).
In a fresh memorandum issued on Wednesday, DoP Siddhi Halarnkar has further sought an action taken report by Monday, May 5.
“All the BDOs are directed to check whether the VCC is constituted and functional in all the VPs under their respective jurisdiction under the Goa Children’s Act, 2003. If not, then all the BDOs are directed to instruct the concerned VP secretaries to constitute the same and submit the compliance. All VP secretaries must ensure that the committee is functional in their respective VPs,” it stated.
The GCA mandates the constitution of VCCs in every VP for protecting children’s rights and promoting a child-friendly environment, to discuss the issues/problems faced by children in society, and to resolve the same.
The DoP’s action also comes after GOACAN expressed concern about the rising crimes against children in Goa and called upon the director to ensure the constitution and functioning of the VCC by issuing necessary instructions.
