Timely Implementation of Relief Schemes for Children is desired

Synopsis:

The government has announced numerous relief measures for supporting the children who lost their parents in the pandemic. This would give them some cushion for survival if the timely implementation of relief measures takes place.

Background:

• The pandemic has brutally impacted every section of society, but the situation of children losing their parents is most severe.
• The government has announced some relief measures by withdrawing funds from the PM CARES fund. However, the modalities of these measures were yet to be formulated.

Data on the Dismal State of Children:

• As per the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights’, nearly 10,000 children are in need of immediate care and protection.
• These include 1,742 children who lost both parents, 7,464 who have lost one parent, and 140 who have been abandoned from March 2020 to May 29, 2021. 

Government Measures for Children:

• A corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each child would be created using PM CARES money when he or she reaches 18 years of age. 
  • This would be used to give monthly financial support through a fixed deposit in the name of the child, from 18 years of age for the next five years. This would take care of his or her personal requirements during the period of higher education.
  • On reaching the age of 23 years, he or she will get the corpus amount as one lump sum for personal and professional use.
• The child will be assisted in obtaining education loans for professional courses and higher education in India as per the existing Education Loan norms. The interest on this loan will be paid by the PM-CARES.
• For children under 10 years- the child will be given admission to the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar. 
  • If the child is admitted to a private school, the fees as per the RTE norms will be given from the PM CARES. The PM-CARES will also pay for expenditure on uniforms, textbooks, and notebooks.
• For children between 11-18 years- the child will be given admission to any Central government residential school such as Sainik School, Navodaya Vidyalaya, etc. 
  • In case the child continues to live with grandparents or a guardian, then he/she would be admitted to the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar.
• Further, all Covid-19 orphans will be enrolled as beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) with a health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakhs. The premium amount for these children, till the age of 18 years, will be paid by PM-CARES. 
• A sum of Rs 10 lakh per district for non-institutional care of Covid orphans would be awarded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 
  • The amount would be distributed by the respective District Magistrates as per the requirement of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme.

Way Ahead:

• The government needs to enhance the pace of their work as any delay can push the children into trafficking and the flesh trade. Healthy cooperation between the center and state governments is also desired.
• The government should also lay down the processes and establish monitoring mechanisms for initiating rescue and relief work. Further, there should be a continuation of the estimation work in order to identify the requisite number of beneficiaries. 
  • For this, sincere implementation through committed staff, and use of existing systems such as 1098 for periodic identification of children is desired.