When India stepped into 2022, close to 1.47 lakh children have lost either their mother or father or both parents due to COVID-19 and other reasons since April 2020.
In order to ensure that studies or financial security of children who lost their parents to COVID-19 do not get affected, the government on 29 May 2021 launched PM CARES for Children Scheme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 30 2022 released the benefits under the PM-CARES for Children Scheme. The Prime Minister said that children who have lost their parents due to Covid-19, will get full support for their schooling and higher education.
Through the scheme, children are being provided an Ayushman Health Card that will cover health expenses upto Rs 5 lakh. The health card was handed over to children during the event. The scheme has different facets for comprehensive care of children that bears boarding and lodging expenses, education expenses, financial support mechanism and scholarships.
In order to lend them a helping hand for self-sufficient existence, a financial support of Rs. 10 lakh is extended to them once they attain 23 years of age. Till they attain that age, a monthly stipend is also given to children from 18 years.
“PM-CARES initiative has been made possible through the contributions of citizens across the country. Through these contributions we were able to ramp-up healthcare infrastructure and now through this fund we are going to be able to help children who have lost their parents,” PM Modi said.
PM CARES for children- School Education
The scheme provides for
– Free education in nearest government schools.
– Textbooks and uniforms in government schools.
– School fees reimbursement in Private Schools as per RTE norms.
For students studying in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (NSCB) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas(JNV), free education will be provided under the scheme. It is also applicable for students in residential schools from Class 6 to Class 12.
PM CARES for children – Higher Education & Scholarships
The higher education benefits under the scheme includes assistance for obtaining education loans for professional courses or higher education in India. The payment of interest on educational loan will also be done under the scheme.
Further, the scheme provides
– Scholarship of Rs. 20,000 per annum for class 1- 12
– Scholarships upto Rs 2.5 lakhs per annum for admission and education in the Institute of Eminence like IITs/ IIMs
– Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College & University students
– SWANATH scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per annum for Technical education.
– KARMA Scheme of AICTE for skill training for school dropouts after Class X
PM CARES for children – Boarding and Lodging
The scheme also has the component of providing boarding and lodging facilities to children. Under this component all beneficiaries are covered under Mission Vatsalya (Child Protection Services – CPS) for comprehensive care. Children staying with relatives will receive Rs. 4,000 per month. In case of children staying in Child Care institutions (CCIs), the same amount is given to the institutions to take care of them. Children below 6 years will receive support from Anganwadis for supplementary nutrition, education (ECCE), health services and monitoring through POSHAN Tracker.
PM CARES for Children
The scheme supports children who have lost both the parents or legal guardian or adoptive parents or surviving parent to Covid-19 during the period from 11 March 2020 to 28 February 2022. A portal named pmcaresforchildren.in was launched to register the children. The portal is a single window system which facilitates approval process and all other assistance for children
