Government asks states to set up district child welfare committees

The Centre on Wednesday asked states to set up district-level child protection and welfare committees to ensure that no kid is left abandoned on the streets and said it will financially strengthen the registered adoption resources agencies in the country.

 

"In the streets of Delhi too, we see children begging or asking for money after cleaning the cars on traffic signals. We will have to ensure that there is no such child on the roads. The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) has a provision to take care of such children," Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said.

 

Inaugurating a two-day annual meet on adoption organised by Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under her ministry, she appealed to all states to set up district child welfare committees to ensure that children on streets, railway stations and other places be brought to shelters and that they get a chance to "have a home".

The states should also set up State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), she added.

She hoped that ICPS will bring reforms and transparency in adoption.

 

"We have already launched a database in which details of all children available for adoption are there and families who want to adopt kids can access the internet to get the necessary information. This web-based system will lessen hassles for those who want to adopt children," she said.

The minister said the government will financially strengthen adoption resource agencies by providing them about Rs9lakh per year for food, shelters and medical facilities for children.

"All agencies should get themselves registered with CARA," she added.

Tirath said a draft on amended guidelines to protect adopted children is with the Law Ministry which is expected to get back soon with its views.

CARA Chairperson Sudhir Kumar said the meeting, being attended by representatives from states and adoption agencies, will deliberate on adoption guidelines framed by it.