THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Goa State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) on Thursday objected to Bal Bhavan in Campal being chosen as a strong room for the elections.
In a written complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) with copies to the North Goa Collector and the Director of Bal Bhavan, Chairperson of the Commission Adv Sushma Mandrekar said that occupying the Bal Bhavan premises for election purposes during the summer vacation was a violation of child rights.
"The children have the right to a happy childhood as they are our present and the future of our country. In order to protect the rights of adults, the rights of children cannot be violated," stated the written communication.
Besides dampening the essence of the summer camp held at the Bal Bhavan every year and the spirit of summer vacations, Mandrekar wrote that the move would be a violation of the constitution and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989.
The chairperson also went on to explain that the Commission had learnt from reliable sources that the election commission planned to take possession of Bal Bhavan and convert the classrooms in the building into strongrooms, the work for which had already commenced.
At the Bal Bhavan, around 1000 children participate in various activities and learn disciplines like tabla, harmonium, Hindustani vocals, guitar, ukelele, kathak, bharatnatyam, folk dances, art, crafts, and photography during the summer vacation. During this period, special workshops in theater and personality development are also conducted, stated the letter.
The letter asks the authorities concerned to take appropriate action on priority basis and intimate the GSCPCR via a report at the earliest.
"The Goan" learned that the authorities had decided to scrap the plan of using Bal Bhavan as a strongroom in view of the GSCPCR's letter. However, till late Thursday evening, no written communication was available regarding scrapping of the plan.
