Govt Issues Guidelines For PM Cares For Children Scheme
The Ministry of Women and Child Development, on Thursday, issued the guidelines for the PM CARES for Children Scheme with the aim to ensure comprehensive care and protection of children who have lost their parent(s) to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic
According to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the scheme provides support to these children through a convergent approach, gap funding for ensuring education, health, monthly stipend from the age of 18 years, and a lump sum amount of Rs. 10 lakh on attaining 23 years of age.
"The eligible children shall be enrolled from 29.05.2021 which is the date of announcement by the Prime Minister to 31.12.2021 to avail benefits of the PM CARES for children scheme. The Scheme is expected to continue till the year when every identified beneficiary shall turn 23 years of age," the ministry said.
The eligibility criterion for the scheme will cover all children who have lost both parents or surviving parent or legal guardian, adoptive parents, and single adoptive parents due to COVID 19 pandemic, starting from 11.03.2020 the date on which WHO has declared and characterized COVID-19 as pandemic till 31.12.2021. "Child should not have completed 18 years of age on the date of death of parents," the ministry said.
