The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Government to adopt orphaned children

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Sunday, Jan 02, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Government to adopt orphaned children

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 1. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, today announced that the State Government would adopt all the children orphaned by tsunami disaster and rehabilitate them.

In a statement here, she said the Government would start three childcare centres at Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Nagercoil each having a capacity to accommodate 100 children in view of the extraordinary situation prevailing in these districts. If necessary, more childcare centres would be launched immediately to ensure that a situation where any of these children were not accommodated due to lack of space did not arise, she added.

Special facilities would be provided to the kids admitted to the these centres. Ayahs to be appointed for these centres would pay special attention to these children. Playthings and equipment to develop their mind would also be provided for these children. Special medical assistance would also be arranged there, she said.

"I firmly believe that these kids who have borne the brunt of the nature's fury should not be allowed to become orphans. This is the view of my Government too. So I have decided to implement a special package to create a happy and prosperous future for these children," Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

Referring to the interest shown by many benignant people in adopting these orphaned children, Ms. Jayalalithaa said she welcomed their gesture. These persons could approach the Director of Social Welfare, who had been asked to take action on these offers as certain guidelines had to be followed for adoption.

Recalling her announcement that the Government would disburse cash relief to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh to the kin of every deceased, she said the amount would be deposited in the name of the orphaned children. The matured deposit would be handed over to the children when they attained 18 years.

The Government would also depute counsellors under the Directorate of Social Welfare to the affected districts to persuade the people to get over the shock caused by the tsunami disaster, through counselling.

"I hope that the counsellors will perform the job with total dedication. I appeal to competent and efficient non-Governmental organisations to involve themselves in the task. The Government will extend all necessary support to these NGOs."

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