The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2021 that proposes to increase the role of district magistrates and additional district magistrates in child care and adoption.
The Bill which seeks to amend the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 was passed by Lok Sabha in March this year. The Act stated that adoption of a child is final on the issuance of an adoption order by the civil court.
The Bill provides that instead of the court, the district magistrate, including additional district magistrate, will issue such adoption orders.
Amid disruptions in the House, Smriti Irani, women and child development minister, while moving the Bill said children of this country deserve Parliamentarians’ attention for protection and support. “Some of the renowned Parliamentarians, who have always prioritised the needs of the vulnerable...however, politics demands that they stand right here in the Well and attract attention towards the issue which they feel fit,” Irani said. Irani said the adoption of a child is a legal process that creates a permanent legal relationship. Therefore, it may be questioned whether it is appropriate to vest the power to issue adoption orders with the district magistrate instead of a civil court.