Panaji (Goa): A women’s nongovernmental organization has expressed concern over severe shortage of staff across various Commissions. Absence of full time members, NGO Bailancho Saad alleged has held back quick disposal of cases while it also slammed the State government’s proposal to hike salaries of the elected representatives at the time when it complaints of lack of funds.
“Most of the State bodies meant to address the concerns of women are in dire straits due to lack of funds for personnel and infrastructure. While the government has funds to hike the salaries of MLAs, there are no funds for fulltime members on State Commissions for Women, Commission for Protection of Children, State Coordination Committee for Disabilities, State Commission for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes. The One Stop Crisis Centre, Victim Assistance unit to assist women and children in distress does not have resources to reach out. These state bodies are dependent on voluntary workers to make up for the deficit staff,” NGO Convener Sabina Martins said lamenting the government’s growing failure to contain violence against women.
She further alleged that since most Commissions and state bodies do not have full time members, the issues of the vulnerable sections do not get addressed in a timely manner. “There is considerable delay in funds disbursal to Resource Centre for women at Goa University, Child line, Shelter homes etc,” she added.
Bailancho Saad demands that adequate resources be allocated to all Commissions and strengthen institutions with adequate laws and funds to carry out their functions.
The United Nations has observed that the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, which countries including India are committed to, cannot be met due to lack of funds for Elimination of Violence against women and children.
Retired District and Sessions Judge Desmond D’Costa gave an insight into circumstances in which judicial officers work and mentioned that policies from the government can be best obtained by collective voice. In the case of nonfunctioning of government bodies, they should be taken up with higher authorities and in case of failure, courts are an option; he said.
