The latest audited statement of the PM CARES Fund for 2022-23 reveals that Rs 346 crore has been allocated for the welfare of over 4,500 children orphaned during the Pandemic.
The PM CARES for Children Scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29, 2021, was designed to provide support to children who lost both parents, legal guardians, adoptive parents, or surviving parents to COVID-19 between March 11, 2020, and May 5, 2023.
The scheme aims to ensure comprehensive care and long-term protection for these children, focusing on their health, education, and financial independence. Benefits include health insurance, educational empowerment, and financial security when they turn 23.
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According to data from CNN-News18, the children supported under this scheme are spread across 558 districts in 31 states. The highest numbers are in Maharashtra (855), Uttar Pradesh (467), Madhya Pradesh (433), Tamil Nadu (426), and Andhra Pradesh (351).
Each child receives a financial support package of Rs 10 lakh, along with boarding and lodging assistance to aid their rehabilitation. The scheme also covers their school admissions, provides educational loans for higher education, and offers health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, school-going children from Class 1 to Class 12 are given a scholarship of Rs 20,000 annually.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, especially for children who lost their parents. Many faced not only the grief of losing loved ones but also disruptions in their education and daily routines. In response, PM Modi launched the PM CARES for Children scheme to address their immediate and long-term needs.
With a holistic approach, the scheme provides gap funding for education, monthly stipends until the age of 18, and a lump-sum payment of Rs 10 lakh when the children reach 23. The initiative represents a commitment to helping these children rebuild their lives and achieve self-sufficiency in the years to come.
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