NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the state government to submit a comprehensive plan to address the issue of children begging at traffic junctions, while hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate Moses Pinto.
The court’s direction came amid concerns over organised exploitation of children and gaps in rehabilitation measures.
In his petition, Pinto sought directions to the state to implement a traffic signal regulation and child protection framework and to mandate rescue,
rehabilitation and educational integration of children found begging at traffic intersections.
He also placed before the court an integrated set of suggestions aimed at evolving a balanced and enforceable framework to address the issue of children being forced into begging across Goa.
The petitioner further prayed for directions to regulate and discourage alms giving in traffic zones, create a corporate social responsibility-aligned child welfare framework, and pass appropriate orders in the matter.
During the hearing, the High Court granted leave to amend the cause title of the petition to implead
the Child Welfare Committees (CWC) of North and South Goa as respondents, noting their role under Section 27 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
The court also said that the suggestions submitted by the petitioner to the Department of Social Welfare should be considered by the department.
The petitioner said the material on record indicated the need for immediate intervention, structured enforcement and coordinated rehabilitation measures.
