Govt constitutes J&K Adoption Resource Agency

Srinagar, Dec 10: Jammu and Kashmir on Friday constituted Jammu and Kashmir Adoption Resource Agency to deal with adoption and related matters.

“Sanction in terms of Section 67 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 read with Rule 33(1) of the Adoption Regulations, 2017, is hereby accorded to constitution of the Jammu and Kashmir Adoption Resource Agency,” reads a government order.

Headed by Secretary Social Welfare Department, the seven-member committee comprises Mission Director, ICPS, J&K; one member of the State Legal services Authority (to be nominated by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs); Chairperson of a Child Welfare (to be nominated by the Social Welfare Department on| the recommendation of Mission Director, ICPS); Representative of Specialized Adoption nominated by the Social Welfare Department recommendation of Director, ICPS) and Member for Civil Society involved in Child Welfare and Protection for at least 10 years (to be nominated by the Social Welfare Department).

The terms of reference of the Jammu and Kashmir Adoption Resource Agency is to deal with adoption and related matters in the Jammu & Kashmir under the guidance of the Central Adoption Resource Agency constituted in terms of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

It has been also tasked to function as the executive arm of the Jammu and Kashmir Government for promotion, facilitation, monitoring and regulation of the adoption programme in the Jammu and Kashmir.

It has been also asked “to perform such functions as are prescribed under Adoption Regulations, 2017 issued by the Ministry of Child Development, GOI in terms of Notification No. G.S.R 3 (E) dated 4 January, 2017.”

Lasy, the agency has been asked to carry out such other functions as may be assigned by the Central Adoption Resource Authority from time to time.