India’s PM Cares scheme to support Covid orphans

As many as 3,855 applications have been approved so far for PM Cares for Children scheme to support children who have lost both parents to Covid, said the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Indian Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani, on February 3, said that Indian PM Modi has announced PM Cares for Children scheme to support children who have lost both parents or surviving parents or legal guardians or adoptive parents due to Covid pandemic.

The scheme is accessible through an online portal pmcaresforchildren.in. The applications of such children are uploaded on the portal by the respective State/UT governments. As of January 31, as many as 6,624 applications have been uploaded on the portal out of which, 3,855 applications have been approved as per due process.

Minister Smriti Irani said the Ministry is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme, Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme - Mission Vatsalya under which support is provided to States and UT governments for delivering services for children in need of care and under challenging circumstances.

The Child Care Institutions (CCIs) established under the CPS scheme support inter-alia age-appropriate education, access to vocational training, recreation, health care, counselling etc.

As per the scheme guidelines, a quantum of sponsorship of Rs 2,000 per child per month is available for non-institutional care of children in need of care and protection and a maintenance grant of Rs 2,160 per child per month for children living in Child Care Institution.

The Ministry also shared advisories and guidelines for supporting states/UTs regarding Child Care Institutions, including providing vaccination for the eligible children residing there and mental health support to children and caregivers.

(ANI)