PM Modi announces welfare measures for children orphaned due to COVID-19

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PM Narendra Modi (Image: Screengrab from a video tweeted by @narendramodi)
PM Narendra Modi (Image: Screengrab from a video tweeted by @narendramodi)

New Delhi : On the eve of government's second anniversary of the second term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a list of measures that will benefit children who have been orphaned due to coronavirus. A corpus of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to them when they turn 23, and the funds for their education.

Chairing a meeting on the matter, he said that the help will be provided under the "PM-CARES for Children scheme.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement that fixed deposits will be opened in the names of such children, and the PM-CARES fund will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each of them.



This corpus will be used to give monthly financial support or stipend from 18 years of age for the next five years to take care of his or her personal requirements during the period of higher education. On reaching the age of 23 years, they will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use.

While making the announcement, PM Narendra Modi said that the children represent the future of the nation and his government will do all possible things to protect them.

"The PM said that in such trying times it is our duty, as a society, to care for our children and instil hope for a bright future. All children who have lost both parents or surviving parent or legal guardian/adoptive parents due to COVID-19 will be supported under "PM-CARES for Children" scheme," he said, according to the statement.

The children who are under 10 years of age will be given admission to the nearby Kendriya Vidyalaya or private schools as day scholors.

For higher education, children will be assisted in obtaining education loan for professional courses or higher education in India according to existing norms. The interest on this loan will be paid from the PM-CARES fund.

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