Bengal to impose strong vigil on adoption of children

Concerned over the busting of child trafficking racket in West Bengal that led to several arrests and rescue of a number of babies, the state government is keen on strengthening rules and procedures for adoption.
A directive in this regard will be released soon by the Women, Child and Social Welfare Department to intensify vigil on adoption of children, officials at the state secretariat said.
It has also been decided that the police would be asked to scrutinise thoroughly and verify strictly the detailed information of those willing to adopt.
A high-level committee has also been set up by the state government to monitor the issue.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting at the state secretariat in which senior officials of different agencies including the Women, Child and Social Welfare Department and UNICEF were present to discuss the issue with state Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee and Home Secretary Maloy De.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had yesterday asked the police to act strongly against those involved in the child trafficking racket and take appropriate steps.
Raids are still on in different districts to unearth the entire racket, arrest the culprits and rescue more children if there was any, the officials said.
The CID has so far arrested 18 people, including two doctors, for their alleged involvement in the trafficking racket that was busted on November 21.