Don't abandon newborns, use child care institutions: Pkl DC to residents

TNN / Dec 29, 2024, 00:20 IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/116750483.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Panchkula: In view of several cases of newborn babies being  thrown into garbage dumps or bushes coming to fore, Panchkula deputy commissioner (DC) Monica Gupta has appealed to the people that if someone did not want to keep their child, they should leave them in a child care institute as many have no CCTV cameras there. The child's life will be saved and will be given for adoption.

She added that the district operated four child care homes. These facilities provide both care and protection for newborn kids, and the children are legally adopted through proper process by willing families.

Gupta also raised concerns over an alarming rise in cases of newborns being abandoned in trash bins and bushes in the Panchkula district, calling these actions both repulsive and a punishable crime under the law. She urged those who didn't wish to keep an unwanted newborn, to safely leave the child at one of the district's child care homes that include Shishu Grih in Sector 15, Bal Niketan in Sector 2, Bal Sadan in Sector 12A, or Ashiyana in Sector 16. These centres are dedicated to the protection and care of abandoned children.

The deputy commissioner clarified that the child care homes were not equipped with CCTV cameras. However, any child left at these centres will receive proper care and protection. Additionally, under the legal process, the child may be adopted by a willing family.

Gupta further stated that individuals could also voluntarily surrender a child through legal channels under the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act of 2015. For this, one can contact the district child welfare committee and district child protection unit at the new mini secretariat rooms 12 and 14, or call the helpline 0172-2582220.

If any citizen wants to report an  abandoned child or wishes to leave a child at one of these facilities, they can also reach out to the child helpline at 1098 or call emergency services at 112. The DC appealed to all citizens of the district to spread this important information to all age groups in their communities, ensuring the protection and well-being of abandoned children.