Covid: Six children orphaned in Chandigarh, Centre says none

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 2

Despite the fact that Chandigarh is under the direct cont5rol of the Centre, there is often a mismatch in the data of the UT and the government. This time, an anomaly has been found with the data regarding the children orphaned due to Covid-19.

On July 30, the Centre presented the data in the Lok Sabha regarding the orphaned children according to which, there were “zero” children who lost both their parents to Covid-19 in Chandigarh. However, Chandigarh has identified six such children and the Administration has taken the responsibility for the children under its scheme, ‘Parvarish’.

Similarly, according to the data tabled on July 30, no orphaned children were registered on the PM CARES Fund portal (pmcaresforchildren.in) from Chandigarh, whereas 292 such children have been registered on the portal till date from other states.

The Prime Minister had announced the PM CARES for Children scheme to support children who lost both parents to the pandemic.

A UT official, who deals with matters regarding the orphaned children in Chandigarh, said the PM CARES Fund scheme had not been made functional till now and the UT was awaiting its digital licence to upload the details of the orphaned children on the portal. The UT has also identified 100 children who lost a parent to Covid-19. The UT scheme covers orphaned children or children who have lost one parent and the surviving parent has surrendered the child and the kids living with guardians/extended families.

It also covers those who have lost one parent to Covid and are living with the surviving parent or extended families.

The scheme ensures free education in government-run schools and a monthly financial support to such children till the age of 18. In case the child is unemployed after the age of 18, the monthly financial assistance shall be extended till the age of 21 on the basis of an assessment by the District Child Protection Unit.

Details tabled in Lok sabha

On July 30, the Centre presented the data in the Lok Sabha regarding the orphaned children according to which, there were “zero” children who lost both their parents to Covid-19 in Chandigarh. However, Chandigarh has identified six such children and the Administration has taken the responsibility for the children under its scheme, ‘Parvarish’.

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