Panaji: Nearly 12 years after a local non-governmental organisation initiated the process, the Goa Directorate of Panchayats has indicated the possibility of holding Bal Gram Sabhas for children in the State. The sabhas are one of the platforms available to children in their villages or in schools to voice their grievances. The Directorate has also planned to hold Special Gram Sabhas in village panchayats.
The NGO Children’s Rights in Goa (CRG) has welcomed the decision. Sushma M. Pawar, public relations in-charge, CRG, said in 2006, as per the mandate of the Goa Children’s Act 2003, CRG had initiated the process of setting up Village Child Committees (VCCs), Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats in Arambol. On September 22, 2006, the first VCC was set up at the panchayat in Arambol, Pernem taluk of North Goa where students from schools in and around the area participated.
Subsequently, CRG facilitated the process of bal sabhas and bal panchayats in other villages and in 2014, reached out to 1,295 children in 20 schools across the State. Goa is the first in the country to have a special child rights legislation and a children’s court.
On February 10, 2015, CRG collaborated with the Directorate of Women and Child Development to organise a bal panchayat training programme titled ‘Amche Vichar, Amcho Fudar’ (Our views, our future). Nearly 67 children from six villages of Pernem and Bardez taluka participated.
Sarita Santamaria, case coordinator, CRG, said in 2014, the Directorate of Women and Child Development (DWCD), Goa, had introduced The Goa Village and Municipal Child Committee Grants and awards Scheme 2014 for recognising the functioning of the VCCs. Accordingly, VCCs that have been carrying on their work satisfactorily are eligible for an annual grant of ₹10,000 towards administrative expenses. The DWCD also gives an annual award of ₹10,000 to the best performing village and municipal child committee in each taluka.
The monetary schemes were instrumental in encouraging village panchayats to reach out to children.
The CRG has now expressed the need for the convergence between the Directorate of Panchayat and DWCD to prevent duplication of effort.
