Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
Dr. Baljit Kaur issues strict directive to ensure legal adoption of orphaned, destitute children
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, June 9, 2025: The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has intensified efforts to safeguard the welfare and rights of orphaned and destitute children in the state.
As part of this initiative, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur has directed officials to ensure that all child adoptions strictly comply with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.Dr. Kaur emphasized that every child from birth to 18 years of age deserves a secure, loving, and dignified environment.
She stressed that adoption must be conducted only through legal procedures to fully protect the child’s rights and future. Illegal adoptions, she warned, open the door to serious threats such as trafficking and exploitation.
Highlighting a recurring issue, the Minister noted that unwed mothers or parents unable to care for their children often approach hospitals or doctors to surrender them.
Similarly, prospective adoptive parents also contact such establishments. To address this, Dr. Kaur said it is vital for all government and private healthcare institutions and medical professionals to be aware of legal adoption protocols.
She issued clear instructions that any case involving the surrender or potential adoption of a child must be reported within 24 hours to one of the following: the Child Helpline (1098), the nearest police station, the Child Welfare Committee, the District Child Protection Unit, or a registered Child Care Institution.
Dr. Kaur further warned that failure to comply with these directives could result in six months imprisonment, a fine of ₹10,000, or both. Institutions found concealing such cases or bypassing legal procedures will face strict punitive action.
The Minister also encouraged people to visit www.sswcd.punjab.gov.in and carings.wcd.gov.in — the official portals of the state department and the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), respectively — for detailed and accurate information about the legal process of child adoption.
Dr. Kaur reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable children and ensuring every adoption is a safe, ethical, and legal process.