PM Modi to release benefits for children orphaned by Covid. 112 children from Kerala

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will release benefits for children orphaned by Covid under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. The event will be held through video conferencing. Parents of children and district magistrates will attend the event.

Distinguished guests from the respective districts will hand over certificates of important projects to the children. The main objective of the scheme is to provide free textbooks and uniforms to orphans. Under the Right to Education Act, students studying in private educational institutions are reimbursed by their respective schools. Children covered by the Vatsalya scheme also get comprehensive protection. Children living with relatives will get a monthly allowance of Rs 4,000.

The institution provides assistance, including care, education and treatment to children living in the institution. Anganwadis provide nutrition, education and health services to children below the age of six. 18 to 23 year olds will receive a monthly stipend. By the age of 23, they will get a total of Rs 10 lakh. Children who have lost their parents will also get assistance of Rs 50,000 from the states. Educational loans will also be made available to children. Its interest will be paid from the PM Care Fund.

Among the beneficiaries are 112 children from Kerala. Of these, 93 are under 18 and 19 are over 18.

Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Sunday said that PM Modi will transfer scholarships to school-going children. A passbook of PM CARES for Children, and health card under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana will be handed over to the children during the programme.

"The objective of the scheme is to ensure comprehensive care and protection of children in a sustained manner by providing them boarding and lodging, empowering them through education and scholarships, equipping them for self-sufficient existence with financial support of Rs 10 lakh on attaining 23 years of age and ensuring their wellbeing through health insurance," said the PMO in an official statement.

The government has launched pmcaresforchildren.in portal to register the children, who were orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The portal is a single-window system which facilitates the approval process and all other assistance for the children, said the PMO in the statement.