Dedicated officials in Indian embassies to monitor safety of children adopted abroad

New Delhi: The Ministry of Women

and Child Development (MWCD) has

requested the foreign ministry to have

dedicated nodal oicers in Indian

embassies for monitoring adoption

process of Indian children to ensure

their wellbeing. Minister Smriti Irani is

believed to have reached out to her

colleague S Jaishankar on the request.

At present, the Central Adoption Resource Authority works with foreigners’

regional registration office to process over 400 prospective foreign adoptions

every year. Many prospective parents are of Indian origin or non-resident

Indians who have close relatives in India.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) member Priyank

Kanungo said the commission has received some complaints on out-country

adoptions and the ministry’s move were, hence, timely. “The changes will

reduce the delay in the process and also help in ensuring safety of children

even after the adoption,” Kanungo said.

MWCD is also trying to give parents and children more options. “There are

some structural loopholes to children from northeast India finding potential

parents in areas similar to their socio-economic conditions. We have

addressed that too,” an official said

In a related development, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a list of

amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,

2015, mainly empowering district magistrates to issue adoption orders and

monitor implementation of the law. The amendments are aimed at

“strengthening Child Protection set-up to ensure best interest of children,” a

news statement issued by the ministry said.

Before someone sets up a shelter home for children and sends proposal for

registration under the JJ Act to the state, a DM will have to conduct a

background check, Irani said at a news briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday

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