हिंदी
Chandigarh, May 28 – The Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi will release the benefits & services to children under PM Cares for Children scheme for the welfare & best interests of the COVID affected children on May 30, 2022. Notably, this scheme was launched by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi on May 29, 2021.
Giving information in this regard an official spokesperson said that the programme will be held on May 30, 2022 and will be attended by Ministers, MPs, MLAs, NC PCR/ SC PCR, DCs, JJBs, CWCs, DCPU, CC1 & Children above 18 years whereas children below 18 years will watch the programme through web cast/live telecast. Haryana Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda will attend the programme from Jind, whereas, Haryana Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij will attend the programme from Ambala.
He further informed that Women & Child Development Department is the Nodal Department for execution of the scheme in collaboration with Departments of Posts, Social Justice & Empowerment, Education, Health etc. and Deputy Commissioners are Nodal Authorities at district level.
The spokesperson said that children have been enrolled under Ayusman Bharat – PM Jay with a health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh per annum per child. Premium will be paid by PM Cares. Health cards have already been distributed by Deputy Commissioners. 2 Children namely Payal and Sourabh have already been given benefit of Rs. 10 lakh each in their account. As many as 93 children have already got the financial benefit in their account with total amount Rs. 7.17 crore from Ministry of Women & Child Development.
The objective of the Scheme is to ensure comprehensive care and protection of Children in a sustained manner, and enable their well being through health insurance, empower them through education and equip them for self-sufficient existence with financial support on reaching 23 years of age. Children who lost both the parents or biological guardian or adoptive parents during the period 11-03-2020 to 28-02-2022 have been included for the support.
He said that identification of the children has been carried out by the Deputy Commissioners with assistance of Police, District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) and members of Civil Society. After the due verification of the cause of death of parents by CWC, detail was uploaded on the PM Cares for Children portal which is an integrated portal for child registration, validation, fund transfer, benefits available to children under various components of the schemes and grievance redressal.
He further said that the scheme provides for financial support, boarding and lodging, assistance for school education & higher education and health insurance. Also, child dashboard has been created with provision of login id for children. Moreover, elaborate grievance redressal mechanism has been made at the district level under ADC to deal with the grievances. Portal will send alert of pending grievances at district level and if grievance is not redressed within 15 days, that will automatically escalate at state level. Even if that is not redressed within 30 days, it will automatically transfer to Ministry of Women & Child Development.
He said that the scheme will provide financial support in the form of an amount credited in the account of the identified children that would become Rs. 10 lakhs at the time of attainment of 18 years of age, whereas, an amount of Rs. 10 lakhs has been deposited in the Monthly Income Scheme of post office in the name of children above 18 years. Besides it, Children will receive monthly stipend after attaining the age to 18 years till complete 23 years of age. Children will receive Rs. 10 lakhs on attaining the age of 23 years. Also, an ex-gratia grant of Rs. 50,000 per deceased parent has already been provided by SDRF to the children.
He said that children have been rehabilitated by the Deputy Commissioner concerned with the help of CWC within the extended family/ relatives. In case of absence of relative or not willing child or family, child has been placed in the age & gender appropriate CCI. Care has been taken to put the siblings together. Children staying with relatives are receiving Rs. 2000/ per month under Vatsalya Scheme which is now revised Rs. 4000/ per month. For children in CCI, grant is provided by the Government.
He further said that children’s education is given prime importance & children have been admitted in nearby Kenderiya Vidalya or Private /Govt. School. 6 seats in Kenderiya Vidalya have been reserved for such children. Also, uniform, text books and note books are provided to the children. Scholarship at Rs. 20,000 per annum is being provided to the school going children of class 1-12 under the scheme by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Likewise a scholarship at Rs. 50,000 per eligible child/per year is being provided for technical education. 2 supernumerary seats in polytechnic have been reserved & UGC has been asked to create 2 supernumerary seats to accommodate children. Loan facility is at place for higher/ professional education in India. Interest on the loan is being paid by PM Cares.
