THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health and Women and Child Development Minister Veena George said Rs 3,19,99,000 has been sanctioned to provide financial assistance to children who have lost their parents/guardians due to the Covid pandemic. A fixed deposit of Rs. 3 lakhs and Rs. 2000 per month till the child reaches the age of 18 is allowed. The required amount was allotted for this. In addition, the education expenses of these children up to graduate level will be borne by the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. There are currently 87 children eligible for the benefit.

The minister said that the District Child Care Units collected information on children and assessed their condition after conducting home visits through ICDS staff. Following this, a report was sent to the Child Protection Committee and necessary steps were taken for the welfare of the children.

In addition, the order sets out the criteria for allocating financial assistance. "Those who became eligible include children who lost their parents due to Covid and would include anyone (parent) passing of post-Covid complications within three months after turning Covid negative, and similar cases where if a child has lost a single parent also," Veena George said.