Kids orphaned by Mandi natural disaster get govt help

The state government has stepped forward with a compassionate response to support children, who lost their parents in the recent natural disaster that struck Mandi district on June 30.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state is extending the protective cover of its welfare schemes to orphaned children, ensuring a secure future for them.

Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan stated that children affected by the June 30 calamity are being included in state-run welfare initiatives like the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana and Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana.

“One such case is of Kumari Neetika, daughter of the late Ramesh Kumar from Talwara village, in Chachyot tehsil. Having lost her parents in the disaster, Neetika has now been adopted into the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana as a ‘Child of the State’. The government will provide her with a monthly financial assistance of Rs 4,000 until she turns 27. For July and August 2025, a total of Rs 8,000 has already been deposited into her savings bank account,” the DC said.

“In Karsog’s Sanarli Panchayat, five children from two families will receive monthly financial aid under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana. The devastating flood claimed the life of Lalit Kumar of Bhutti village, leaving behind three young children—Kritika Verma (14), Anshika (10) and eight-month-old Raghav Thakur. Each child will receive Rs 1,000 per month for educational support,” he added.

“Jeet Ram of Surmu village was killed in the same disaster. His sons Paramjeet (15) and Ranjeet (12) have been included in the same welfare scheme. A financial aid of Rs 2,000 for July and August has already been credited into joint bank accounts held with their mother. The monthly support will continue until the children reach 18 years of age,” the DC said.

The DC said eight other children from the Seraj region have also been identified under the welfare scheme. Efforts are underway to complete the required documentation to bring them under the umbrella of the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana.