The functions and responsibilities of the Committee shall include—
(i) taking cognizance of and receiving the children produced before it;
(ii) conducting inquiry on all issues relating to and affecting the safety and well-being of the child under this Act;
(iii) directing the Child Welfare Officers or child welfare police officers or non-governmental organisations to conduct social investigation and submit a report before the Committee;
(iv) conducting inquiry for declaring fit persons for care of children in need of care and protection;
(v) directing placement of a child in foster care;
(vi) ensuring care, protection, appropriate rehabilitation or restoration of children in need of care and protection, based on the child's individual care plan and passing necessary directions to parents or guardians or fit persons or children's homes or fit facility in this regard;
(vii) selecting registered institution for placement of each child requiring institutional support, based on the child's age, gender, disability and needs and keeping in mind the available capacity of the institution;
(viii) conducting at least two inspection visits per month of residential facilities for children in need of care and protection and recommending action for improvement in quality of services to the District Child Protection Unit and the State Government;
(ix) certifying the execution of the surrender deed by the parents and for ensure that they are given time to reconsider their decision as well as making all efforts to keep the child with family;
(x) ensuring that all efforts are made for restoration of abandoned or lost children to their families following due process, as may be prescribed;
(xi) declaration of orphan, abandoned and surrendered child as legally free for adoption after due inquiry;
(xii) taking suo motu cognizance of cases and reaching out to children in need of care and protection, who are not produced before the Committee, provided that such decision is taken by at least three members;
(xiii) taking action for rehabilitation of sexually abused children who are reported as children in need of care and protection to the Committee by Special Juvenile Police Unit or local police, as the case may be under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (32 of 2012);
(xiv) dealing with cases referred by the Board under sub-section (2) of section 17;
(xv) coordinate with the police, labour department and other agencies involved in the care and protection of children with support of the District Child Protection Unit or the State Government;
(xvi) in case of a complaint of abuse of a child in any child care institution, the Committee shall conduct an inquiry and give directions to the police or the District Child Protection Unit or labour department or childline services; and
(xvii) such other functions and responsibilities, as may be prescribed.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 30
Section 30 of the Act enumerates the statutory functions and responsibilities of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), vesting it with exclusive authority to take cognizance of, conduct inquiries into, and ensure the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in need.
When seeking custody of an orphaned child on behalf of relatives or prospective guardians, file a formal petition under Section 30 before the CWC requesting a Social Investigation Report and interim fit-person placement.