Minister distributes monetary aid of Rs 19L to needy children

Amritsar, August 31

Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday distributed financial assistance of ~4,000 per month to 44 students from needy families for their education. Asserting that the Punjab Government is helping every child to get access to quality education according to their needs, under the Mission Vatsalya scheme, District Child Protection Unit Amritsar will now be providing financial benefit of ~4,000 per month to the children of needy families as sponsorship.

He said children of widows, broken families or divorced parents, orphans who are living with their relatives, children whose parents are victims of a life-threatening disease, families who are unable to take care of their children financially and physically, will be able to get the benefit after registering with the District Child Protection unit.

The minister distributed financial assistance worth ~19.32 lakh to needy children today, including some pending cases of assistance. Deputy Commissioner Ghansham Thori said the children, who are registered under the PM Care Scheme, the children who come under protection and care of the state according to the Juvenile Justice Act 2015, such as child labourers, victims of child marriage, kids suffering from HIV or orphaned due to natural calamities, victims of child abuse or exploitation, and child beggars, are included in this financial assistance scheme.

“But only if they are going to school, they can get their registration done by taking necessary documents. Also, provided that the annual income of these families does not exceed ~72,000 (in rural) and ~96,000 (urban area).”

The Deputy Commissioner said these families can fill in the form to avail the benefit of the scheme along with their required documents like child’s Aadhaar card, attested report from school, birth certificate, attested report from a sarpanch and a councillor. He said for any assistance in this regard, they can contact the office of the District Child Protection Unit, District Administrative Complex , Second Floor, Room No.238.