Govt asks adoption agencies to follow guidelines strictly

The women and child development (WCD) ministry has asked adoption agencies to strictly follow guidelines on adoption and also made it clear that it favours domestic adoption.

“The timeline and adoption placement protocol provided in the adoption guidelines and the Juvenile Justice Act should be strictly followed,” WCD Minister Krishna Tirath on Tuesday told the 3rd International Conference on Adoption. The conference has been organised by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) of the WCD ministry.

She also said that high degree of ethics is required in the adoption process for its acceptance and support from society. She also requested the state governments to ensure that all children who are without family care are brought into the adoption system, irrespective of their age or special needs.

Tirath stressed on the role of the NGOs as social workers, as children who are without family
care and support depend on them for their emotional and physical needs.

Secretary, Women and Child Development Ministry, Prem Narain emphasized that domestic adoption should be given the first priority.

“Keeping in view the Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoptions, every possible effort should be made to ensure that children are first found suitable rehabilitation within the country,” he said.

He also stressed on the need to ensure that there is no malpractice in adoption. He said that the prime responsibility lies with the adoption agencies.

The secretary also said the government is committed to ensure early placement of children with their adopted parents. He lamented that delay in adoption results in children staying for prolonged periods in care homes.