Legal adoptions in State reviewed

Jagannatha Pathi, the Programme Director of the Central Government Adoption Resources Agency (CARA), Jagannatha Pathi, has underscored the significance of adhering to government regulations for optimal adoptions during a state-level review meeting on Saturday.
Speaking during the comprehensive review meeting to address the issue of illegal adoptions across various districts organised by CARA in association with the Andhra Pradesh State Child Adoption Resource Organization (SARA) here on Saturday, Jagannatha Pathi emphasized the importance of existing laws and regulations governing child adoption in India. He urged district child welfare departments to launch extensive campaigns to ensure that prospective adoptive couples maintain stable relationships for a minimum of two years, by government guidelines. Pati also stressed the necessity of heightened awareness regarding health issues and reviewed adoption registrations across the 14 districts. He urged state governments to intensify campaigns promoting legal adoptions in collaboration with relevant departments.
During the program, Snehakumari, a junior professional from the CARA program, delivered a detailed presentation outlining the demographics of children, both male and female, across different age groups residing in state-run children’s homes and those available for adoption. Kesali Apparao and Gondu Sitaram, representing the Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), called upon district collectors to raise awareness among officials about legal adoption procedures. They emphasized punitive measures for those involved in unauthorized adoptions and advocated for disseminating information through various channels including cinema theatres and newspapers.
The event witnessed the active participation of officials of the Women and Child Welfare Department from 14 districts, as well as Regional Joint Directors (RJDs) from Eluru and G. Chinmai Devi, among others, alongside district-level officials and social workers. The collaborative effort of government agencies and stakeholders underscores the commitment to ensure legal adoptions and safeguard the welfare of children across Andhra Pradesh. Through concerted awareness campaigns and enforcement measures, the state aims to curb illegal adoption practices and promote a transparent and ethical adoption process.