ITANAGAR, 2 Jul: The State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), Department of Women & Child Development (WCD), in collaboration with the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), New Delhi, organised an orientation-cum-training programme on the Adoption Regulations, 2022 and the CARINGS portal at the state banquet hall here on Thursday.
The programme aimed at strengthening the adoption system in the state and enhancing the capacity of stakeholders involved in adoption processes.
Participants included deputy commissioners, chief medical officers, district child protection officers, chairpersons and representatives of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), specialised adoption agencies (SAAs), and officials of the WCD Department.
Addressing the gathering, WCD Director (i/c) Machi Gao emphasised the importance of ensuring timely, transparent and child-centric adoption procedures in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Regulations, 2022. She highlighted the need for close coordination among all stakeholders to ensure that every eligible child is provided the opportunity for adoption.
“Adoption is about giving every child the opportunity to grow up in a safe, loving and caring family, and the CARINGS portal makes adoption more accessible and seamless,” she said.
The technical sessions were conducted by CARA senior professional Upasana Chakma, who delivered detailed presentations on the Adoption Regulations, 2022, vis-à-vis the kinds of law, what amendments were made, what were the implications of the amendments and how the process of adoption became regulated. She encouraged greater emphasis on non-institutional care, stating that instead of children remaining in institutions while awaiting adoption, they should be placed in foster care. She highlighted that this would allow prospective foster parents and the child to build a bond over the initial two years before adoption, if found to be in the best interest of the child and in accordance with the law.
In the latter half, she demonstrated the functioning of the CARINGS portal, integrated with the Mission Vatsalya portal. The sessions focused on streamlining adoption procedures, improving coordination among stakeholders, and strengthening compliance with statutory requirements and best practices for ensuring transparent, efficient and child-centric adoption procedures.
A special session on the roles and responsibilities of district magistrates, chief medical officers, child welfare committees, district child protection units and specialised adoption agencies in matters of adoption was delivered by retired WCD joint director Supriya Sarkar. He stated that all five pillars of the adoption process must remain child-centric, with the best interests of the child guiding every decision and action. The session provided practical guidance on statutory responsibilities, inter-departmental coordination and timely disposal of adoption cases in the best interests of children.
An interactive open house discussion followed the technical sessions, during which participants sought clarifications on the implementation of the Adoption Regulations, 2022, operation of the CARINGS portal, timelines for processing adoption cases, legal responsibilities of various authorities, and challenges encountered in the field. The resource persons addressed the queries and emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to ensure transparent, accountable and child-centric adoption services.
WCD Deputy Director (HQ) Kina Takka appealed to all the stakeholders to encourage adoption and foster care “as per rules and procedures by promoting awareness in the best interests of children.”
The department reiterated its commitment to ensuring effective implementation of the Adoption Regulations, 2022 and promoting a transparent, efficient and child-friendly adoption system in the best interests of children.
