Thane orphans, abandoned kids get new homes

THANE: As many as 16 orphaned or abandoned children staying in Thane found new homes in the new year after district collector Ashok Shingare cleared their adoption orders, officials informed on Wednesday.
The custody of these children, aged between six months to six years, were given to their new parents by Shingare in a closed door ceremony at the collector's office premises. Of those adopted, 11 are girls and the rest boys.
While three of these children will settle with their parents abroad, the rest will be in various parts of the country, officials informed.
Officials said guidelines for adoption of orphans, and abandoned children have been prepared in 2022 as per the mandate of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Accordingly, the district collectors have been assigned the responsibility of passing the adoption orders after ascertaining all requisite mandates which was earlier done by the courts.