Seraikela admin identifies 131 kids who lost at least 1 parent in 2nd wave

Jamshedpur: The Seraikela-Kharsawan district administration has identified 131 children who lost either of their parents or were orphaned due to Covid-19 in the second wave of the pandemic. Among them, six have lost both their parents while the 125 lost either their mother or father.
In a survey conducted by the district administration, it found that the overwhelming majority of the 131 children are girls (106). The survey was launched on June 3 and is on the verge of completion.
Seraikela-Kharsawan DC Arava Rajkamal has asked the district social welfare officer (DSWO) Sandhya Rani and district child protection officer (DCPO) S K Thakurto ensure the orphans receive all the government sponsored welfare schemes they are entitled to on a priority basis. He has also asked the officials to ensure single parents receive the benefits of government schemes for the welfare and development of the orphan child.
Notably, as per state government data, Seraikela-Kharsawan district has reported 67 Covid deaths so far, including 50 deaths in the second wave. Adding that several orphans are siblings, Thakur said, “How many lost mother and how many father will be known once the data compilation gets over.”
Under the sponsorship scheme, the custodian of a child, who lost both his parents, will get Rs 2,000 a month as aid from the government to help with the upbringing. The government will also ensure the child enjoys free education and healthcare. In the case of single parent who lacks good earning, the administration will help provide additional source of earnings so that the child's development is not compromised with.
"The house-to-house survey is going on to identify the needy ones for the sponsorship scheme," Rani said, adding that 12 children in dire need of government support have been identified so far. “Of the 12 needy orphans, six have lost both their parents and the remaining have lost one parent. The work on compiling the data of the single parents is in the last leg. We will soon have complete data of the orphans who lost their father,” she said.