New Delhi

In a moving gesture, the Narendra Modi government has decided to support the children who have lost their both parents in the Covid-19 pandemic by taking care of their education, health insurance and long term expenses through the PM Care Fund.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took some crucial decisions for these children. It was announced by Home Minister Amit Shah on the Twitter:

मोदी सरकार ने कोरोना के कारण अपने माता-पिता को खोने वाले बच्चों का ध्यान रखने के लिए एक बहुत ही संवेदनशील व कल्याणकारी निर्णय लिया है।

PM-CARES फंड से उनकी शिक्षा, स्वास्थ्य व ₹10लाख की आर्थिक सहायता सुनिश्चित करने पर @narendramodi जी को साधुवाद देता हूँ।https://t.co/ZBQgLTOz6F

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 29, 2021

An official handout about the meeting quoted Prime Minister as saying “the children represent the future of the country and the country will do everything possible to support and protect the children so that they develop as strong citizens and have a bright future.”

He said, “In such trying times it is our duty, as a society, to care for our children and instil hope for a bright future.”

Government care is being extended to all the children, including the adopted ones and those who are living in the care of their wards.

The government will open fixed deposit accounts for the children from the money coming from the PM Cares Fund. This will ensure a sum of Rs 10 lakh for each child when he attains the age of 18 years.

Even after turning 18, these children will continue to get a monthly stipend for the next five years to meet their personal expenses during the studies.

At the age of 23 years, they will get a certain amount in a lump sum that they can use professionally or privately.

The school-going children will get admission to the nearest central school or private school.

“Children who are between the age of 11 years and 18 years will be admitted to residential schools of Central Government like Sainik School and Navodaya Vidyalaya. If these children remain under the supervision of their extended family, then they will be able to get enrolled in the nearby central school or private school.” an official release said.

The cost of the fees of private schools, uniforms, books and notebooks will also be borne by the State from the PM Cares Fund.

Besides, these children will also get health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

It may be recalled that PM Cares Fund is a public charitable trust that was set up by the government as a dedicated fund for dealing with distress situations like the one posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and to provide relief to the affected.