390 apply for Delhi government’s Covid aid

Delhi’s social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said in a statement, “Our representatives will go door-to-door and help in filling the application form.”

The Delhi government on Sunday said around 170 people have applied for one-time financial assistance of ₹50,000 and 220 have applied for monthly assistance of ₹2,500 for deaths in their families caused by Covid-19.

On May 18, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the Delhi government will provide one-time cash relief of ₹50,000 to the families of people who died of Covid-19. (File Photo)

Delhi’s social welfare minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said in a statement, “Our representatives will go door-to-door and help in filling the application form.”

On May 18, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the Delhi government will provide one-time cash relief of ₹50,000 to the families of people who died of Covid-19, a monthly pension of ₹2,500 to the families which lost their only earning member, and free education and a monthly payment of ₹2,500 for children who lost their parents or only surviving or legal parent to the disease until they attained the age of 25 years. On July 6, the government launched a drive under which officers are to visit families who lost relatives to Covid-19 and help them in claiming financial assistance.

“The scheme was approved by the Delhi cabinet and notified for implementation in June. The city government has planned to set aside around ₹170 crore in this financial year for this scheme,” said a senior government official.

State records showed that Covid-19 has claimed 25,015 lives in Delhi. “The government is yet to process applications concerning children who lost their parents to Covid-19,” said another senior government official.