(1)[The State shall ensure that children are protected from child abuse, sexual offences, child trafficking, child prostitution and violation of their rights] [Substituted by Goa Children's (Amendment) Act, 2005 [Act No. 20 of 2005].] against exploitation and that they are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity.(2)[] [Omitted by Goa Children's (Amendment) Act, 2005 [Act No. 20 of 2005].] omitted(3)The State shall promote with special care the educational interests of children from the weaker sections of society including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.(4)The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living as well as the improvement of public health as among its primary duties.(5)The provisions of the Convention of the Rights of the Child as acceded to by the Government of India are hereby declared to be part of the law of the land and it shall be the duty and responsibility of the State Government to respect and ensure that the Rights of the Child as declared and enumerated in the Convention, are protected and guaranteed to every child within the territory of Goa.(6)For the proper implementation of the Rights of the Child included in the Convention and to prevent any discrimination, exploitation or abuse of the child on any ground, government shall take adequate measures;(7)All the authorities, whether public or private, [* * *] [The words 'social welfare institutions, or legislative bodies' omitted by Goa Children's (Amendment) Act, 2005 [Act No. 20 of 2005].] shall, while undertaking any action concerning children, take the best interest of the child as the primary consideration.(8)The provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child are taken as rights of the child in Goa and are legally enforceable, except where they pertain to the central government or to any other authority which is outside the purview of the state government provided that nothing in this section shall restrain the government from specifying higher standards for children.
