New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday released benefits under the PM Cares for children scheme that supports those who lost their parents during Covid-19 pandemic. On the occasion, Modi transferred scholarships to the schoolchildren and handed over a passbook of PM Cares for children, and a health card under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
The PM Cares for Children Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on May 29th, 2021, to support children who have lost both their parents or legal guardian or adoptive parents or surviving parents to the pandemic, during the period from March 11th, 2020, to February 28th, 2022. Modi said if someone needs an education loan for professional courses, for higher education, then the PM-Cares will help in that too. Rs 4,000 have also been arranged for them every month through other schemes for other daily needs.
According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the objective of the scheme is to ensure comprehensive care and protection of children in a sustained manner by providing them boarding and lodging, empowering them through education and scholarships, equipping them for self-sufficient existence with financial support of Rs. 10 lakh on attaining 23 years of age and ensuring their wellbeing through health insurance.
An online portal by the government was launched to register the children. The portal is a single-window system which facilitates the approval process and all other assistance for children.