Orphans sans Covid certificate need to apply afresh for aid in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW: In the absence of government aid, three siblings Saumya (17), Subhi (15) and Krishna (11) had to opt out of school. Their mother Sunita Devi had no option but to take this step as from the savings of her late husband Sunit Singh she could manage only basic needs of the family.
Sunit succumbed to suspected Covid-19 on April 17. However, as the family had no Covid certificate or medical report to establish their claim they failed to avail the UP government aid meant for orphans.

Similarly, Shashi Pandey, mother of two, is left heartbroken following a phone call which informed her that her application for the government aid for her children has been rejected as she failed to provide her deceased husband Vinay Pandey’s Covid certificate.
According to the district probation office, Lucknow, there are over 2,500 orphans in the state capital alone who don’t have Covid certificate to avail government aid.
Speaking to TOI, DPO, Lucknow, Vikas Singh said, “On August 6, V Hekali Zhimomi, principal secretary, child development and nutrition, UP, issued fresh orders in which all orphans (irrespective of the cause of death of guardian/parents) ---from March 1, 2020—will be eligible for government aid.”
“The applicants can contact DPO office via WhatsApp and phone (75180 24019) or can reach office (room 34B, Lucknow collectorate) to get their queries addressed and file application under UP mukhyamantri bal vikas yojana samanya for the financial aid. Those orphans whose forms were earlier rejected, also need to file fresh applications. All applications will be processed and the sum will be transferred within 30 days from the date of filing application,” said officer Vikas Singh. Under the government financial aid scheme, the orphan with Covid certificate will be provided Rs 4,000 per month as well as laptop/tabloid after class IX for online classes, while orphans without Covid documents will be given Rs 2,500 per month. Further, orphan students who have cleared intermediate and will pursue or are pursuing undergraduate, diploma courses or students who have excelled in NEET, JEE or CLAT will receive financial benefit till they attain the age of 23.
Meanwhile, the DPO said, “By next week a task force led by DM will take a decision as to what has to be done for private school fees. An order will be issued to DIOS and BSA for the same. Currently, all government schools have waived the fee for orphan students.”