PANAJI
More than three months after the government invited applications for the Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) in North and South Goa, there is still no update on the appointments. These panels deal with some of the most sensitive cases involving children in conflict with the law.
The wider child protection system is also affected, as the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has remained defunct for nearly 20 months.
Official sources told The Goan that the advertisement issued on August 4, 2025, inviting applications for the JJBs between August 6 and 22, has produced no result so far. This is despite interviews of eligible candidates being held over a month ago.
The delay follows repeated extensions. The term of the JJBs ended last year. The government first granted a three-month extension and later extended it again. An earlier advertisement was issued and later cancelled before the fresh call for applications in August.
As per JJB rules, members serve a three-year term and vacancies must be filled from a list prepared by the Selection Committee. Sources said this list has not been acted upon.
The GSCPCR has been without a chairperson and members since May 19, 2024, when the term of chairperson Peter Borges ended, followed soon after by the expiry of the members’ tenure.
At the time, the then Director of the Women and Child Department (WCD), Manuel Barreto, had said that the file for reconstitution was sent for approval. Sources said there was some movement on December 17, 2024, but the process later stalled.
In October 2025, the government released a fresh advertisement for the post of chairperson and members of the Commission, with a deadline of November 21, after cancelling an earlier notice in June. However, as with the JJBs, there is still no sign of appointments. The Goan tried to contact WCD officials for an update, but none were available for comment.
