PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has asked the State government’s position on a series of suggestions submitted by an advocate to tackle the exploitation of children forced into street begging. The Court, during the ongoing hearing into a Public Interest Litigation, also sought the government to clarify which of the proposed measures are feasible and implementable, either fully or with suitable modifications.
The proposals, placed before the Court by petitioner Moses Pinto on Tuesday, focused on mobilising Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of underprivileged children. Pinto submitted that a structured, transparent and legally grounded approach using CSR funds would allow swift and sustained interventions to protect children from exploitation.
The Division Bench of Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Nivedita Mehta said it expects the Additional Government Advocate to inform the relevant authorities about the suggestions and independently advise the State government on the matter.
“In the wake of the said suggestions, we expect the State Government to make its stand clear to us as to which of these suggestions are feasible and which can be implemented by the State Government either in its entirety or in its modified form and shall be considered by the State Government. We expect the learned Additional Government Advocate to apprise the Respondent authorities of these suggestions and also, on his own, can advise the State Government on the issue,” it said.
Among the suggestions is the creation of a dedicated Child Welfare CSR Fund to pool contributions from corporates interested in supporting child protection efforts. The fund would be used for rescue operations, building shelters, running education and rehabilitation programs, and ensuring the long-term welfare of rescued children. Pinto proposed that the fund be managed transparently with dedicated utilisation towards these measures.
He further suggested that the Department of Women and Child Development and the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights empanel credible NGOs and civil society groups with a proven track record in child protection. Only such accredited organisations would be eligible to implement projects funded through CSR support, ensuring both accountability and quality.
Corporate partnerships with government schools, shelter homes and learning centres were also proposed, enabling support for infrastructure, bridge schooling as well as remedial education.
CSR contributions, Pinto said, can be utilized for the appointment of special educators and mental health counsellors, tailored toward the special needs of vulnerable children. Moreover, vocational training modules for children aged 14 and above, were proposed to enhance employability and ensure economic independence.
Other suggestions include bridge education programs to bring children into the formal school system under the Right to Education Act, 2009, along with the provision of mid-day meals, uniforms, digital devices, and study materials. Mobile rescue teams, temporary shelter homes, medical screening units, and psychological counselling services were also part of the proposed model, etc.
The High Court is hearing the plea that alleged a visible surge in child beggars across major places during the 2024 tourist season. Pinto documented instances of adult beggars using minors at traffic junctions in Panaji, Margao, Mapusa and at the Verna-Vasco Birla junction along with photographic evidence.
The petitioner sought judicial directions for the identification and rescue of children used for begging, temporary shelter arrangements, access to education, and the formation of a task force to prevent such exploitation. The PIL also sought from the Court periodic reporting by government departments on the implementation of these directives. The petition is now scheduled for the next hearing on June 30.
