In order to take appropriate measures for the protection and upbringing of children who have lost both parents to COVID-19, the Maharashtra government has decided to appoint a task force at the district level under the chairmanship of the District Collector.
Moreover, a ruling in this regard has been issued by the Department of Women and Child Development. In a review meeting held by the Supreme Court Judges' Juvenile Justice Committee on child care and protection organizations in the state in connection with the COVID-19 disease, the court directed to form a task force at the district level to look into issues related to child safety.
The task force, headed by the Collector, consists of Municipal Commissioner, Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Chairman, District Child Welfare Committee, District Surgeon, District Health Officer, District Information Officer. Meanwhile, the Child Protection Officer will act as the coordinator. The District Women and Child Development Officer are also the Member Secretary of this task force.
Furthermore, maximum protection will be provided to these children in order to ensure that they do not fall victim to exploitation or crime. In addition, the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority has been entrusted with the full responsibility of ensuring the legal rights of these children. To provide judicial advice and other facilities for carrying out the necessary legal process; they will ensure that the child's financial and property rights remain intact.
The Chairman of the District Child Welfare Committee is to investigate the possibility of giving custody of the child to a relative by giving benefits to the child under the Child Care Scheme; If the adoption process is required after such verification, necessary action have to be taken as per the guidelines of the prevailing CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority).
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