Shillong, August 05: Legal Awareness programme on Child Adoption organized by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Tura in collaboration with Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Tura was held today at Multi-Facility Hall, DRDA, Tura. Block Development Officers of West Garo Hills Districts, District Medical Officers, representatives of various Non Governmental Organizations and officers of line departments were among others present at the programme.
Pointing to the minimal knowledge available pertaining to Child Adoption policies in the previous years, the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills District, Pravin Bakshi expressed his satisfaction that the newly formulated guidelines for adoption of children has provided great relief for all in matters concerning adoption. Further, he insisted that everyone has a role to play and ensure that child adoption takes place smoothly.
A M Ripnar, District and Session Judge cum Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, West Garo Hills District, Tura in his keynote address expects that this awareness programme would benefit the people at large in matters related to adoption and also make the people aware about the rules and regulations framed under the act. He said that earlier people adopt a child by merely signing the deed of agreement which has been considered illegal now and thereby specific provisions for adoption has evolved for the welfare of the child and accordingly laid the procedures for adoption of a child which need to be followed.
Virginia Malgniang, Programme Manager, State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), Shillong in her presentation on Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) and Adoption in the state of Meghalaya, highlighted the salient features on guidelines and fundamental principles governing Adoption of Children, 2015.
She informed that in order to ensure a smooth functioning of adoption process within the State of Meghalaya, the State government has implemented the ICPS by signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Government, MWCD, since 16th November, 2011 under the Meghalaya State Child Protection Society and has been registered under Meghalaya Societies Registration Act 12 of 1983. Since the implementation of the ICPS, SARA has been set up within the State of Meghalaya.
It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Women and Child Development is the Nodal Ministry which is regulated by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)- the designated Central Authority as per Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, 1993 and under the Juvenile Justice Act 2015, Guidelines Governing Adoption of Children, 2015 and Directions given by Hon’ble Apex Court while SARA coordinate, monitor and develop the work of adoption in the State and work as a bridge between State Government and Central government.
During the programme, there was a presentation on CARINGS Portal (Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System) in which Ladei Kynti Lyngdoh, Programme Manager, SARA, Shillong briefed the gathering about the eligibility criteria for Prospective Adoptive Parents. She further informed that all adoptions outside CARINGS portal are strictly prohibited and punishable by the law and taking children directly from hospitals, maternity clinics, nursing homes or other unauthorized source is an offence. CARINGS portal is a web base management system created to register online for adoption processes.
Smti V A Sangma, Chairperson, CWC, Tura offered a welcome address while Shri I Rymbui, Chief Judicial Magistrate cum Secretary, DLSA, Tura proposed the vote of thanks.
