Govt. Portal for Children Orphaned by COVID-19

Govt. Portal for Children Orphaned by COVID-19

Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Policies and interventions

In news The government has introduced a portal to all the States and Union Territories for children orphaned by COVID-19

• Any citizen can inform the administration regarding a child eligible for support under this scheme through the portal

About PM-CARES for Children

• The Central government has announced the “PM-CARES for Children” scheme for all those children orphaned due to Covid-19.

What are the features of the Scheme?

• Corpus of Rs. 10 Lakh:
  • A corpus of Rs. 10 lakh will be allocated to each of these children from the PM CARES fund.
  • It will provide a monthly stipend from 18 years of age. 
  • On attaining 23 years, he/she will get the corpus amount.
• Education to the Children (under 10 years):
  • Ensure admission to Kendriya Vidyalayas/ private schools.
  • PM CARES will pay for the uniform textbooks and notebooks
  • If the child is admitted in a private school the fees as per the RTE norms will be provided
• Education to the Children (11-18 years):
  • The child will be given admission in any Central Government Residential School
  • In case the child is to be continued under the care of guardian, he/she will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya/private school
• Higher education:
  • Provision of either a scholarship equivalent to the tuition fees/ educational loans. 
  • Interest on the loan will be paid by the PM-CARES fund.
• Health Insurance:
  • All children will be enrolled as a beneficiary under Ayushman Bharat Scheme 
  • The premium amount will be paid by PM-CARES till a child turns 18.

News Source: TH