PANAJI
Goa government has finally reconstituted the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR), bringing an end to a nearly two-year period during which the statutory body remained defunct after the tenure of its previous members expired.
In an order issued by the Directorate of Women and Child Development, the government stated that the Commission has been constituted, with Shashikant Punaji as its chairperson. The other members include Snehal Salgaonkar, Sanjiwani Dessai, Vibha Bhonsale, Shalaka Dessai, Esther Roe Torres and Sofia De Souza.
The tenure of the newly constituted Commission will be three years from the date of its constitution, the order stated.
The Commission had remained non-functional since May 19, 2024, when the term of its chairperson, Peter Borges, ended, followed soon after by the expiry of the tenure of other members.
The Department had earlier indicated that the file seeking approval for the Commission’s reconstitution had been forwarded to the government. While some movement took place in the process on December 17, 2024, it stalled again thereafter.
Subsequently, the government issued a fresh advertisement in October 2025 inviting applications for the posts of chairperson and members of the Commission, setting November 21, 2025 as the deadline. The notification had come after an earlier advertisement issued in June was cancelled.
The GSCPCR is mandated to monitor the implementation of child rights laws, inquire into complaints of violations and advise the government on policy matters concerning the protection and welfare of children.
