Goa cabinet defers decision on schemes for orphans,sex workers

Goa government today deferred its decision on two crucial schemes for orphaned children and sex workers or victims of sexual abuse, stating that a rethink is necessary on them, before placing it for the next meeting.
The state government has designed a foster care scheme, and also a technical vocational training scheme for sex workers and sexual abuse victims, which came for approval before the state cabinet this morning.
"We have deferred the decision on both the schemes as we need more inputs and slight modifications to it before passing it," Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told media persons after the state cabinet meeting this afternoon.

State Environment Minister Alina Saldanha, during the cabinet meet, apparently, pointed out loopholes in the foster care scheme for orphaned or children in need.
The scheme aims to hand over custody of the child to a family, wherein state government will pay for the expense.
"The goal is to ensure that the child is not handed over to state run Apna Ghar, a protective home, which is increasingly becoming unsafe," Parrikar added.

The child can remain with the family until he is 18 years of age, or his stay can be extended up to 21 years. In yet another scheme, giving vocational training for sex workers or victims of sexual abuse, also could not get through the cabinet, due to certain amendments suggested.

Parrikar said that the schemes are not open for public suggestions now but if someone wants to suggest anything, it can be considered during the final draft.
"Both the schemes would be placed before the state cabinet next week," he said.