Chandigarh launches scheme to help children affected by Covid-19

For children who have lost one or both the parents and have been placed in child-care institutions, their educational, medical and nutritional expenses will be borne by the department of social welfare

UT administrator VP Singh Badnore on Saturday launched Parvarish, a scheme for the development and rehabilitation of children affected and orphaned due to Covid-19.

The education of children studying in government schools will be free of cost and children studying in private schools will also be provided with an annual financial support. (HT FILE PHOTO)

The scheme was formulated by the Union Territory Child Protection Society under the department of social welfare, women and child development, Chandigarh. The scheme has been notified in the Chandigarh Administration Gazette.

The scheme has been framed considering the effects of Covid-19, which has taken a toll on lives and has left many children vulnerable and orphaned due to the loss of their parents or breadwinner of the family.

The scheme will extend to Covid orphaned children or children who have lost one parent due to Covid and the surviving parent has surrendered the child; Covid orphaned children who are living with extended families/guardians; children who have lost one parent due to Covid and are living with surviving parent/extended family; and Covid positive children of UT.

For children who have lost one or both the parents due to Covid and have been placed in child-care institutions, their educational, medical and nutritional expenses will be borne by the department of social welfare and a fixed deposit of ₹3 lakh will also be made in the child’s name. The amount can be withdrawn after they attain the age of 21 years.

Children’s education in govt schools to be free of cost

The education of children studying in government schools will be free of cost and children studying in private schools will also be provided with an annual financial support. Further, the eligible beneficiaries after attaining the age of 18 years will be provided financial support if they pursue short-term diploma courses, graduation or equivalent three-year degree courses or professional degrees. The beneficiaries under the said scheme can avail the benefits from March 2020.

Financial support under the scheme will also be extended to Covid positive children wherein monthly financial assistance of ₹2,500 will be provided for three months to meet their nutritional needs and it will be applicable to children found Covid positive after January 1, 2021.

In addition to financial and educational benefits, children will also be provided with counselling/grief counselling and need-based therapeutic intervention to help them overcome the trauma associated with loss of parents.

On the directions of the social welfare secretary, the District Child Protection Unit is conducting a survey of 800 families as per data provided by the department of health, who have lost a member due to Covid in UT, to identify children who have lost their parent(s). As per the senior officials of the department, a total of 112 children have been identified who have lost one parent or been orphaned. Over 1,300 kids who tested positive for Covid will also be covered under this.

UT social welfare secretary Nitika Pawar said, “Other children reported under this will also be covered. Eligible beneficiaries covered under the scheme can contact the District Child Protection Unit at 0172-2643654.”