PANAJI
Even as Goa continues to witness an alarming rise in crimes against women and minors, the Goa State Commission for Women has remained headless for over two months, with the State government yet to initiate any process to fill the vacant post of chairperson.
The Commission has virtually remained non-functional since the tenure of former chairperson Ranjita Pai ended on March 5, with no hearings reportedly conducted during this period.
The delay assumes significance amid growing concern over women’s safety in Goa following the latest NCRB data for 2024, which showed the State recording the highest rate of rape-related offences in the country at 13.3 cases per one lakh population, far above the national average of 4.3.
Goa Police later clarified that the NCRB figure included both rape and POCSO cases, with the rape rate standing at 5.2 and POCSO cases at 8.1 per lakh population.
According to the NCRB statistics, Goa registered 105 rape cases under IPC/BNS provisions in 2024 involving 106 survivors. Of these, 65 survivors - nearly 61 per cent, were below the age of 18, while 41 were adults.
Despite the mounting concern, no move has been made by the government to appoint a new chairperson. Minister for Women and Child Development Vishwajit Rane had earlier stated that the appointment would be finalised within a week, but no decision has been announced so far.
“There is no proposal moved so far,” a senior government official confirmed.
This is also not the first time the Commission has remained without leadership. The post of chairperson had earlier remained vacant for nearly a year between 2022 and 2023 before Pai’s appointment.
