Mysore: It is more than two monÂths since the tenure of members of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) of 27 districts in the state ended. However no new members have been appoÂinted in their place. The CWCs handle the cases of children in need of care and protection including children in a crisis, runaway kids, rescued and abused kids and those who declare children as legally free for adoption.
Meanwhile, lapses on the part of Mysore CWC have become evident in the Mysore adoption case as per the enquiry report submitted by officials of the Department of Women and Child Development. The guardiÂans of the two children who were shifted from an institution in Mysore to another in Bengaluru for adoption, without their (guardians’) knowledge by Mysore CWC, have urged the government not to extend the tenure of this CWC.
The CWCs are quasi judicial bodies and have powers to declare a child legally free for adoption, visit and monitor institutions, organizations, associations and agencies within their jurisdiction that provide services, facilities for children and ensure adherÂence to child rights, standards of institutional care and recommend actÂion in case of child right violations.
According to a child rights expert, the delay in appointment will prove costly leading to undue delay in child right violation cases. As per the Juvenile Justice Act, the tenure of CWC members is restricted to three years and no member can continue for more than two terms. But currently, there are several members who have even completed their second term, sources said.
Meanwhile the guardÂians of the two boys, Neelamma and Nataraj, said they were running from pillar to post to save their children from being given for adoption. “UnaÂble to withstand the fear and pain of losing the children and the humiliation we would have to face, my wife went missing twice in the past 20 days. We could trace her with much difficulty. We appeal to the government not to extend the tenure of CWC Mysore,” Nataraj said.
