Rs 67 cr lying unused in child fund, adoption centre tells HC
A corpus of Rs 67 crore, which is to be used for the rehabilitation of rape victims or children in distress, is lying unutilised with the National Child Fund (NCF).
The Central Adoption Resource Centre, an auton-omous body under the Ministry of Women and Child Develop-ment responsible for keeping a check on international adoptions, brought this to the Bombay High Court’s notice on Friday.
Justice D Y Chandrachud asked why was the money not being used to rehabilitate children.
The high court also directed the adoption resource centre to complete the final draft of the international adoption policy so that the court can finalise the guidelines.
Justice Chandrachud asked the adoption resource centre to file an affidavit within three weeks.
The HC had asked the adoption resource centre to include a corpus or fund for children who are repatriated and require rehabilitation and its proper disbursement.
The adoption resource centre had refused to set up another fund saying there’s already the NCF.
However, the same cannot be used for the rehabilitation of repatriated children, as there is no such category in the National Child Fund.
Advocate Vishal Kanade, who is appearing for the federation of adoption agencies in Maharashtra, pointed out that the NCF had a category for children in distress.
“If not the corpus, then give some concrete safety net which can be used in cases where children are repatriated.
Someone has to take their responsibility,” said Justice Chandrachud.
In a related development, 14-year-old Anita (name changed), who was repatriated in June 2008 after a failed adoption in the United States, is adjusting well at the shelter home in Gurgaon.
A Massachusetts-based couple had adopted Anita and her sister Sonia (8) in 2006.
However, the couple sent an application seeking revocation of their guardianship of Anita after she developed behavioural problems.
A report submitted by Nigama Mascarenhas, director of the Family Service Centre, said Anita she is eating and taking her medication on time.
“She also helps younger children with their studies,” the report said.
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