Uttar Pradesh announces scheme for Covid orphans with Rs 4,000 monthly aid

LUCKNOW: Days after CM Yogi Adityanath declared the state would take on the responsibility of children orphaned by Covid-19, the Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday announced the UP Mukhyamantri Bal Sewa Scheme, which entails monthly stipend of Rs 4,000 for each child and state funding of their education and marriage.
The government has identified 197 minors, who lost both parents and 1,790 children who lost one parent. As on Saturday, 1,000 minors qualified for the scheme, said a senior government official after verifying the income criteria.
Beneficiaries include children who lost both parents or guardians to Covid, those who lost the sole bread winner and those with a single parent, who succumbed to the virus.
The chief minister has approved a financial aid of Rs 4,000 per month per child to be given to guardians or care takers. Girls orphaned by Covid would be given Rs 1,01,000 at the time of marriage and a laptop or tablet to orphaned children in school, college or pursuing vocational education,” said Navneet Sehgal, additional chief secretary (information).
Importantly, boys below the age of 10 who have no guardians or an extended family will be rehabilitated in Rajkiya Bal Grihas or child shelter homes in Mathura, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Agra and Rampur. For minor girls without guardians, the government will arrange their stay in Central government-run 13 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas or in 18 Atal Residential Schools, currently being set up by the state government. Their education expenses will be borne by the government.
A task force has been formed in each district to identify such children and the child development and nutrition department has directed local administrations to keep vigil on illegal appeals on social media for adoption of these children to prevent trafficking.