Acting as parens patriae of COVID-19 victims, Punjab Government is all set to extend a helping hand by providing Rs 1,500 per month as social security pension, along with free education up to graduation, for all those children orphaned in the COVID pandemic, as well as the families that have lost their breadwinning member.
Beginning July 1, this year, the Government will ensure free education in government institutions, for such children as well as children belonging to families that have lost their breadwinner to COVID.
The Chief Minister, announcing the decision, termed it the state’s duty to become the foster parents of the children who have lost both their parents in the unprecedented pandemic.
“Affected persons would also be eligible for grant of Rs 51,000 under Ashirwaad Scheme with effect from July 1, and would be entitled to free ration under the State Smart Ration Card Scheme and coverage under the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana,” said the CHief Minister chairing COVID review meeting.
He said that the State Government would also assist the affected family members to find a suitable job under Ghar Ghar Rozgaar te Karobaar Mission.
The relief measures will be provided to orphans until they attain the age of 21 years. In the case of families whose breadwinner has died, these would be provided for an initial period of three years, after which their situation will be re-assessed, and where the vulnerability continues to exist, the period may be appropriately increased.
The Chief Minister also announced the constitution of a Monitoring Committee, headed by the Minister for Social Security and Women and Child Development, to review progress and relief measures for every single case. The Committee shall meet at least once a month, he said.
The Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development would be the Nodal Department for implementation of the relief measures for the COVID affected persons.
The committee would also maintain a record of all such affected persons and apprise them about the welfare measures being offered to them. Besides, the committee would also coordinate with the concerned departments until the desired relief has been made available.