Panaji: Donald Fernandes, Trustee of the social service NGO Street Providence, has strongly criticized the functioning of the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in Goa, alleging a complete collapse in their administration across both North and South districts.
In a sharp statement, Fernandes accused the CWC of shirking its responsibilities while attempting to deflect blame onto NGOs. “There are no rules governing NGOs—we are the ones working on the ground, while the CWC is not,” he asserted.
The controversy stems from a recent case involving a pregnant woman and her two children who were reportedly denied support by the CWC. Fernandes claimed that Street Providence stepped in after the CWC refused to assist, and now the same committee is trying to fault the NGO for stepping in.
“It is the CWC that should be summoned by the Collector for failing in their duty. Not us. The administration of the North and South Goa CWCs has collapsed, and the Chief Minister should take immediate action to address this issue,” Fernandes said.
The comments come amid growing concerns about the effectiveness of child welfare mechanisms in the state, particularly in urgent humanitarian cases. Street Providence has been actively involved in providing shelter, food, and support to the homeless and vulnerable sections of society, including women and children in crisis.
Fernandes’s call for accountability highlights the urgent need for a review of the functioning of CWCs and better coordination between state authorities and NGOs working at the grassroots level.
