‘Set up special courts to hasten disposal of rape, Pocso cases’ | Goa News

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday directed the law department to accelerate the implementation of special fast-track courts for the swift disposal of rape cases and those registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
Sawant chaired a high-level meeting at the secretariat with the chief secretary, the DGP, and other senior officials to review key agendas of the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council and the upcoming state budget. He discussed various issues and focused on eight critical areas to enhance the productivity of the departments. He directed govt officials to enhance the 112 Emergency Response Support System to reduce response times across the state. Sawant also urged the officials to strengthen the banking network to ensure every village has a bank branch within a 3-km radius.
Where affordable housing is concerned, the chief minister directed district magistrates to identify and eliminate illegal slums, reinforcing efforts toward planned urban development. On urban planning, Sawant told the officials to revise Panaji’s master plan and instructed the formulation of master plans for Vasco, Margao, and Mapusa.
He directed the education department to address malnutrition in rural areas and to implement measures to reduce school dropout rates. He also emphasised exploring successful governance models from other states for potential implementation in Goa.
The CM reviewed the expenditure of the current budget, the status of key assurances, and preparations for the forthcoming budget.