Shimla:
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said here today that the Corona pandemic has not only adversely affected world economy but has also left several children orphans. The State Government was ensuring proper care and protection of orphan child and also other children in distress. He said that the State Government was providing Rs. 2500 per child per month as financial assistance for maintenance of such child living with the extended families till the age of 18 years.
Chief Minister said that as of now seven children in the State have been orphaned due to Covid-19 and all these children were living with their kith and kin. He said that the Government has approached their guardians but they have refused to send the children to the Child Care Institutions. Therefore, the directions have been issued to the field officers to initiate action immediately for placing them under foster care and provide Rs. 2500 per child per month up to the age of 18 years to the foster parents/children, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the Government has recently taken steps for care and protection of children amid Covid pandemic. He said that those children who are enrolled in Child Care Institutions and are temporarily restored to their families due to closure of schools amid Covid pandemic would be provided Rs. 2000 per month to enable them to continue their online education. He said that presently 598 children were being benefitted under this Scheme.
Chief Minister said that children up to the age of 18 years who either have lost their parents or are suffering from Covid would be provided shelter and care in Child Care Institutions. He said that oximeters, thermometers and thermal scanners etc. have been provided to all the Child Care Institutions. He said that employees working in these institutions have been declared as frontline workers for purpose of vaccination.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government was already implementing several schemes in the State for care and protection of children. He said that under Mother Teresa Asahay Matri Sambal Yojna, financial assistance of Rs. 6000 per child per annum was being provided to widows for maintenance of two children up to the age of 18 years. He said that families whose annual income does not exceed Rs. 35000 were being covered under this Scheme.
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