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For a better future - Adoption to be easier Centre Will Review Norms To Make Process Less Tedious New Delhi: With the number of adopted children declining because of a long and tedious process, the government has decided to review the adoption procedure and revamp the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA). While 2,533 children were placed for adoption within India in 2001, the number came down to 2,140 in 2006. The number of children who have been successfully adopted by foreign or NRI families has come down from 1,298 in 2001 to 853 last year. These figures do not include state agency adoption numbers. Admitting that the numbers have declined, minister of state for women and child development (WCD) Renuka Chowdhury said, "We might have been scattered in our approach so far but with the revised rules we hope to cut down on time taken (to complete the formalities) and increase the number of children who are adopted.'' The ministry has also asked states to involve panchayats and other local bodies to identify orphaned and destitute children so that they could be provided proper care and placed for adoption. At present, it takes three to six months to complete the adoption process and this acts as a major deterrent for inter-country adoptions. NRIs who want to adopt children will benefit from the easier adoption norms, Chowdhury said while speaking at the launch of the updated version of the CARA website. Chowdhury said the government would also crack down on illegal centres that sell children in the name of adoption. Laying special emphasis on care for children with special needs, the minister said, "The ministry will launch a campaign to encourage parents to adopt children with special needs.'' The improved version of CARA's website-www.adoptionindia.nic.in-carries an updated list of recognised placement agencies for children in India and abroad. It contains information on existing adoption guidelines and provides a link to the list of procedures to be followed in case of in-country and inter-country adoptions. URL : http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA3LzA0LzA1I0FyMDE0MDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom |
