PANAJI
The Goa State Commission for Child Rights has taken cognisance of reports of overcrowding in 'Bal Raths' and dangerous ferrying of children in vehicles to schools and has sought a compliance affidavit from the director of transport with respect to the implementation of safety rules and measures.The Commission's chairman, Peter Borges has cited reports aired by local channels and on social media to seek compliance from the transport director.
Borges said the reports show that the children are being transported to schools in a very hazardous manner, without taking into consideration the Goa Motor Vehicles (Regulations for School Buses Rules, 2015).
"Such situations can lead to suffocation and affect the health and safety of the children," Borges said, adding that it also indicates flouting of COVID-19 precautionary measures.
"You are requested to disclose on affidavit the immediate as well as permanent measures taken to ensure the safety of children going to schools," Borges said in his notice to the transport director.
He has also asked the transport director to check vehicles illegally operating as school transport and to report the status and implementation of the rules which mandate a 'Children Safety Committee' and a 'Children Transport Committee' headed by the Collectors at the district level.
Borges has also cited the rule which requires every school to constitute a 'Children Transport Committee' to look into matters related to the safe transportation of school children, transportation fees, identification of bus stops and other related measures.
Borges has set a June 27 deadline for the transport director to file the compliance report by an affidavit.
