Adoption centres shut as they couldn’t comply with norms: MoC

KOLKATA: The Missionaries of Charity ( MoC) has confirmed that it had shut down child adoption centres since August 15, since it was unable to comply with certain new norms issued by the Union women and child welfare ministry. The norms include allowing a single parent to adopt a child.

Spokesperson Sunita Kumar told ET, "MoC has always been very careful when it sends children for adoption. The organisation conducts a thorough investigation of the family and its background, before allowing a child to be adopted. Immediately after the government’s circular with new norms was issued, MoC complied with it and discontinued the adoption process." "MoC has always tried to ensure that children get a good family. It looks out for a healthy family for the child. No risk can be taken when it concerns our kids. When it comes to single parents, we cannot be sure if they are sincerely interested in children. What, if our children are illtreated? So, the MoC could not comply by the circular," Sunita Kumar told ET from London. She added that MoC never handed over children under its care to single parents even in past. "MoC never wants children to suffer in future. That is why we put parents through rigorous examinations to ensure and confirm the children would be safe and secure in future."

On reports that their orphanages could be de-recognised’, she said, "I have spoken to Sister Prema (Superior-General of MoC) today. The orphanages would continue as we cannot put our children on the streets." ET tried to speak to Sister Prema but she was not available for comment.