Synopsis
The PM CARES for Children Scheme, initiated in 2021, has utilized Rs 346 crore to support 4,543 children orphaned during the Covid-19 pandemic, as per the latest report for 2022-23. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive care, education, and financial assistance to ensure the well-being of these children.Key Takeaways
- Rs 346 crore allocated for children's welfare.
- Support for 4,543 orphans in India.
- Financial aid of Rs 10 lakh per child.
- Health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh.
- Scholarships for school-going children.
New Delhi, Jan 21 (NationPress) The PM CARES for Children Scheme, initiated in 2021 to aid children who became orphans during the Covid-19 pandemic, has allocated Rs 346 crore for the welfare of 4,543 children, as stated in the recent audited report for the year 2022-23.
This initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29, 2021, is designed to assist children who lost both parents, legal guardians, adoptive parents, or a surviving parent to Covid between March 11, 2020 and May 5, 2023.
The objective is to provide comprehensive care and protection for these children consistently, promote their well-being through health insurance, empower them through education, and prepare them for self-sufficiency with financial assistance upon reaching 23 years of age. This scheme has reached children in 558 districts across 31 states in India.
A significant number of beneficiaries are from Maharashtra (855), followed by Uttar Pradesh (467), Madhya Pradesh (433), Tamil Nadu (426), and Andhra Pradesh (351), according to media reports.
The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for each child, along with support for boarding and lodging to facilitate their rehabilitation, school admissions, educational loans for higher education, a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh, and a scholarship of Rs 20,000 per child annually for those attending school from Class 1 to Class 12.
The pandemic profoundly affected children, causing disruptions in their daily routines, hindering access to education, inducing anxiety, and leading to the loss of loved ones. Many children were reported to have lost both parents due to the pandemic.
The PM CARES scheme offers extensive support for education, a monthly stipend until they reach 18 years, and a lump-sum of Rs 10 lakh upon turning 23 years.
The welfare of children falls under the purview of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD). Consequently, the responsibility for overseeing the PM CARES for Children scheme, in collaboration with relevant ministries, states, and local administrations, is managed by the WCD.
