SHILLONG: In the context of large number of cases of abandoned babies coupled with spurt in illegal adoptions, the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), a centrally supported body has come up with initiatives for legal adoption of babies.
However, since 2012 after the formation of SARA in Meghalaya, there have been only 12 legal adoptions.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Virginia Malngiang, Programme Manager, SARA, said that since the time of its implementation in 2012 and after identifying Lawei Baphyrnai as Specialized Adoption Agency (SAA) in 2013, six children are currently with their adoptive parents, after completion of all legal procedures.
“Whereas six children are under pre-adoptive foster care although these children are getting a family to live with,” Malngiang said, adding that the legal procedures are yet to be completed. The follow up is done by a social worker with a psychology background on a quarterly basis for a period of two years, she added.
However, Malngiang has indicated that mass awareness on legal adoption is being carried out by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU)
In this connection, the DCPU coordinates with the CHCs, PHCs and the health department to set up a ‘cradle point’ to be placed outside a hospital premises. This initiative will probably save the baby from abandonment, but most mothers do not come out and take advantage of this cradle point, as Malngiang points out “there is a stigma attached”.
Malngiang, however, pointed out that there are some cases where Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) still frequent hospitals for child adoption which is illegal.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, in its new adoption guidelines effective from August 1 this year has stated that taking children directly from hospitals, maternity clinics or nursing homes for adoption is an offence.
“There are some CHCs, and PHCs located in remote places where they give away abandoned babies,” she said.
In this context, ultimately questions of child’s whereabouts and safety come up. Pointing out to an incident where a couple took a baby from a hospital, which is illegal, Malngiang, further added that a major cause of concern is that the hospitals cannot monitor the overall progress of a child. “Adoption cannot be made from the level of the hospitals,” she said.
To discourage illegal adoption, SARA has identified three Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAA) which are recognized by the state Government under sub section 4 of Section 41 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
These are Lawei Baphyrnai in East Khasi Hills, Life Light Focus Concern in Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills, and Hope Orphanage, Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills, while another SAA at Tura is being proposed to be set up.
With the setting up of adoption agencies which house children from 0-6 years, the procedure for adoption can be done legally.
The SAAs are provided a user ID where details of the abandoned baby is to be furnished.
Malngiang said that SARA does not have any links with any private agencies. According to the Ministry guidelines, all adoptions are to be done through the portal Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS) and the SAA’s report on abandoned babies are done through CARINGS.
At the same time, the concerned union ministry has directed the parents who wish to adopt children that they should register online.
Meghalaya has less number of legal adoptions and the move taken by the Centre will discourage parents from adopting children illegally. The guidelines have made it amply clear that all adoptions outside CARINGS are strictly prohibited.
On being queried about the rising number of abandonment cases, she said, “The District Child Protection Unit handles these cases, where publicity of the child is done for 60 days and if no one comes forward to claim the child after 60 days, the Child Welfare Committee which comprises 4 to 5 members, declares the child legally free for adoption.”
Mothers who give up their babies are provided counselling, she added.
Recounting an incident where police caught a mother who left her child, Malngiang said that the mother was counseled by a social worker, and she is currently serving jail sentence of 7 years. As for the abandoned baby found at Wahkdait, Nongmynsong, the child is currently in the care of an SAA.
Highlighting the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), which is a centrally sponsored scheme with a vision to provide children with basic care and rehabilitation, she said that under this scheme, various programmes are designed as per the framework of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
The scheme has a dedicated support system at the Central, State and District level, and State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) functions as the state nodal body on adoption.
SARA came into force in 2012, conceived through the signing of the MOU between the State Government and the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development.
