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Background
The Government of Tamil Nadu has been a pioneering state in implementing programmes for the welfare of children. The programmes introduced by the Government of Tamil Nadu have been adopted as models by the Government of India as well as by the other states. The Noon Meal programme for the school children introduced in our state has been replicated as a model throughout the country. The progressive policies of the Government of Tamil Nadu regarding education, health and nutrition of children have yielded rich results.
The foundation of a strong nation lies on strong and healthy citizens. No country in the world can aspire to develop without paying attention to the well being of its future citizens, i.e. the children. The Government of Tamil Nadu acknowledges this fact and has initiated programmes for providing support services for children right from the time when they are in the womb.
The emotional, physical and intellectual development of a child can be best achieved only in the family environment. Even the best of institutional care cannot replace the importance of love, affection and emotional bond which a family can provide to a child. It is the responsibility of both the government and the society to provide family environment to neglected and abandoned children for their overall development. Efforts are being taken to promote adoption of children by willing families by creating awareness in the society. It will be the endeavour of the government to ensure that the procedures relating to adoption of children are made easy and transparent.
The Department of Social Welfare has been set up to provide required impetus for the holistic development of women and children in the State of Tamil Nadu. The Department places its primary focus on women and children. Its primary objective is to formulate plans, policies and programmes for the welfare of women and children.
Implement innovative programmes in the areas of welfare and support services for the destitute women and children and elderly citizens.
Monitor the proper implementation of the schemes to ensure that the benefits of the schemes reach only the poor and the deserving.
Co-ordinate the efforts of both Governmental and Non- Governmental organisations to bring out the best of both approaches.
Enact policies for enhancing child survival, reducing malnutrition and morbidity and promoting healthy childhood by providing services like nutrition, immunisation, health check up, referral services and pre -school education.
Following the judgement of the Supreme Court of India which laid down exhaustive guidelines for the adoption of abandoned and destitute children, the Government of Tamil Nadu has established an Adoption Cell in the Directorate of Social Welfare to deal with all the matters connected with adoption. The Adoption Cell is responsible for the following activities:-
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It maintains a list of all Agencies handling in-country and inter-country adoption of children.
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The Cell recognises Indian Adoption Agencies for in-country adoption and recommends the agencies to Central Adoption Resource Agency, Ministry of Welfare, Government of India, for inter-country adoption. It monitors the adoption programme within the State of Tamil Nadu and co-ordinates the activities of the Placement Agencies, Voluntary Co-ordinating Agencies and Scrutinising Agency. It encourages and promotes the placement of eligible children on adoption or guardianship with families within the country on a priority basis.
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It inspects the organisations which have applied for recognition and monitors their work periodically.
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In order to monitor the activities of the Adoption Cell, there is an Advisory Committee on Adoption with the Secretary, Social Welfare as its Chairperson and the Director of Social Welfare as the Member Secretary. The Advisory Committee meets periodically to discuss the child welfare measures, ways and means to promote in-country and inter-country adoption of children etc.
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