New Delhi, Mar 9 : Social Worker J K Mittal has been appointed the new Chairman of the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA).

CARA is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, working as the central authority in matters of inter-country adoption.

Mittal said that in view of some unfortunate incidents in the recent past, the protection and welfare of children has become important.

He asked the officials to prepare a database of abandoned or relinquished children, which could be adopted in the country or abroad by eligible families for better upbringing.

Officials were also asked to review the guidelines for inter-country adoption.

He reviewed the emerging issues regarding protection and welfare of children in the matters of adoption.

Mittal directed the officials to draw up training programmes for sensitising NGOs, government officials, medical professionals, judicial and police officers about the Indian adoption process.

He also announced the fortnightly monitoring of the working of Child Social Welfare Agencies for inter-country adoption.

Mittal is a veteran in the field of child development and welfare.