PANAJI
After nearly nine months of hiatus, the Directorate of Women & Child Development has invited applications to constitute new Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) for both districts. In what is likely a first, the government has introduced a new clause disqualifying applicants working in NGOs as well as their family members from applying for CWC posts.
Sources told The Goan, that this clause has been included in adherence to amendments made by the Central government to the Juvenile Justice Act.
“Any person working in the implementation of the Act in any NGO or organisation, performing functions that may cause a conflict of interest in the discharge of their duties as the chairperson or member of the committee, shall not be eligible for appointment as the chairperson or member of the committee,” reads the advertisement.
The government has announced vacancies for one chairperson and four members in each of the two district CWCs. The eligibility criteria also extend the disqualification to applicants whose family members are part of an NGO or have close ties to one. Moreover, those working in the district for rescue and rehabilitation; representing someone who runs a Child Care Institution, and members of the Board or Trust of any NGO are also ineligible to apply.
The advertisement specifies other conditions as well, with the last date for applications on or before March 17.
After the completion of the previous CWCs three-year term, the government initially granted a three-month extension from July to September 2024, which was further extended for another three months or till the appointment of new committees.
