Karnataka government to house, educate children orphaned by Covid-19

BENGALURU: Soon after PM Narendra Modi rolled out a scheme to provide for children orphaned by the pandemic, the state government on Saturday announced the Chief Minister Bala Seva Scheme to take care of kids who have lost both parents in the second wave and whose guardians require financial help.
Under the state scheme, children who have lost both parents and have no guardians will be admitted to government-run residential schools. The state government will bear the cost of their accommodation and education. Guardians caring for orphaned children will be given a monthly cash assistance of Rs 3,500.
“We are committed to extend every possible help to the children who are deprived of parental care,” CM BS Yediyurappa said.
Women above 21 may get Rs 1 lakh assistance:
The Supreme Court and the PM have urged states to identify, trace and care care for children to ensure their basic needs and educational requirements are met.
Children who have passed SSLC will be given free laptops and tablets to help them pursue higher education or vocational courses. Women who have crossed 21 years of age will be given a one-time assistance of Rs 1 lakh which may be used for self-employment, education or marriage expenses. “We are working out details of the scheme like eligibility and duration of the assistance. Once they are ready, we will issue an order. No matter what the financial implications, the government will do it,” Yediyurappa said, adding that details of the affected children are being collected.
Last week, woman and child welfare minister Shashikala Jolle had said special paediatric Covid-19 care centres will be set up in all districts to ensure timely intervention and help for children under various circumstances.
“The conditions spelt out by the department include the demise of both parents due to Covid-19, hospitalisation of one or both parents, demise of either parent due to Covid and if one parent dies and another lives in another area,” she had said.