(Reopens DES11)

At the function, Prem Narain, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, said the government is committed to early placement of children with their adopted parents. Delays in adoption result in the children staying in the child care home and institutions. He noted three areas of concern: The first one was to ensure that there is no malpractice in the process of adoption, the prime responsibility of which rests with the child adoption agencies. The second point he stressed on was the priority of domestic adoption. He said that keeping in view The Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoptions, every possible effort should be made to ensure that the children are first found suitable rehabilitation within the country itself. Having said that, he added that while domestic adoption is important, this should not lead to a long delay where the child is left in the child care homes/institutions. Thirdly, he stressed on the importance of following ethical standards and protocols in adoption. Guidelines have been set out by the government in this regard, he said. Transparency in the adoption process is facilitated by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), which has made the process on adoption through on-line registration. He further stated that it is important to strengthen and further develop the adoption process in the country.