In addition to a similar scheme announced by the Centre under the PM Care Fund, the Maharashtra Government on Wednesday decided to place a term bank deposit Rs 5 lakh each in the names of all such children, who have lost both the parents due to Covid-19, and also take care of their upbringing needs till they attain the age of 21 years.
The state government approved the financial assistance scheme for Covid-19 orphaned children, at a weekly Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Under the scheme meant for the Covid-19 orphaned children in the age group of 0-18 years, the children+ whose both parents died due to Covid-19 after March 1, 2020 or whose one parent died due to Covid-19 and the other parent due to some other reason and in case where one parent died prior to March 1, 2020 and the other parent succumbed to the pandemic – can avail of the benefits.
The money to be deposited in banks the names of the eligible orphaned children will be returned to the children once they attain the age of 21 years.
“The Union Government has already announced a similar scheme for Covid-19 orphaned children. Our scheme is in addition to the scheme announced by the Centre,” Women & Child Development Minister Yashomati Thakur said.
In addition to the financial assistance, the Maharashtra Government will take the responsibility of the upbringing of the orphaned children concerned. “In case no one comes forward to bring up the orphaned children, they will admit the children oncerned children's homes and deposit the money in the joint names of the child and the concerned District Women & Children Development Officer,” the Minister said.