(a) whether the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) was set up after
laying down guidelines by Hon’ble Supreme Court;
(b) if so, whether CARA is following these guidelines;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has proposed to set up State Adoption Resource
Authority under the CARA in the country including Kerala;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the time by which these are likely to be set up?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT(SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) to (c): Yes Madam. The Supreme Court judgment has prescribed guidelines to be
followed by Central Adoption Resource Authority and Government recognized adoption
agencies in the inter-country adoption process. These guidelines lay down, interalia,
that procedures be established to ensure that the child is legally free for adoption,
priority is given to domestic adoption, preparation of Child Study Report and Home
Study Report, etc. These guidelines are being observed.
(d) to (f): The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), a Centrally Sponsored
Scheme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, provides for setting up of
State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) in each state, including Kerala, to function
under the State Government / UT Administration. So far SARAs have been set up in 11
States/UTs. Other State Government/UT Administrations have been urged to expedite the
same.