In a bid to streamline child welfare facilities across the district, the district administration has initiated a comprehensive special inspection drive and awareness campaign to identify and regularise unregistered Child Care Institutions (CCIs) run by government and non-governmental organisations.
The move follows guidelines issued by the Directorate of Social Defence, Government of Tamil Nadu.
According to the provisions under Section 41 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, all residential facilities providing care and protection to destitute or vulnerable children must be mandatorily registered through the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
Issuing a stern warning to operators, the administration directed administrators of currently unregistered CCIs to immediately apply for formal registration with the required documentation.
Authorities cautioned that operating childcare facilities unlawfully without proper registration will invite severe legal consequences under Section 42 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. Violators face up to one year of imprisonment, a minimum fine of ₹1 lakh, or both.
Madurai District Collector Nishanth Krishna urged the public to come forward and report any information regarding unregistered childcare facilities, encouraging citizens to contact the District Child Protection Office immediately with details.
To ensure the welfare and safety of children, all child adoption procedures must be carried out strictly following the legal procedures specified in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Adoption Regulations, 2022, a district administration’s press statement stated.
If it was found that destitute, abandoned, or surrendered children were given for adoption, received, or involved in such illegal activities without following the aforementioned legal procedures, criminal action would be taken against the concerned individuals by registering a case under Section 80 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, it warned.
Further, individuals involved in criminal acts such as buying or selling a child for any purpose shall be punished under Section 81 of the said Act with rigorous imprisonment for up to five years, along with a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
Additionally, the Collector has stated that if any information or complaint regarding illegal child adoption is received, considering the welfare and safety of the child, information should be immediately reported to the following address: District Child Protection Officer, District Child Protection Unit, Department of Social Defence and Special Services, Third Floor, District Collectorate Complex, Madurai – 625020. Telephone: 0452-2642300, Email: [email protected], and information can also be reported through the Child Helpline – 1098, the toll-free emergency telephone number for children.
Published – September 21, 2026 07:03 pm IST
