Modi Govt to Provide Free Health Insurance of Rs 5 Lakh to Children Orphaned Due to COVID-19

This has been termed as a huge decision for the benefits of the orphaned children due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Sources further informed that, the decision was taken today to provide free health insurance up to the tune of Rs 5 lakh to orphaned children up to 18 years of age who have lost their parents or guardian due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Informing about the decision taken by the Modi government, Union Minister Anurag Thakur tweeted, "As part of the steps taken to take care of children affected by Covid, children up to 18 years will be given free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat and its premium will be paid by PM Cares."

Union Minister Thakur further shared a photo along with his tweet that further said that, "Children up to 18 years of age who have lost both their parents or guardians due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive a monthly stipend. Furthermore, upon turning 23 years, they will be given an amount of Rs 10 lakh."

It may be mentioned that, the PM CARES for Children Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29, 2021 for children with an aim to provide support to orphaned children who have lost both their parents or legal guardian or adoptive parents or surviving parent due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting from March 11, 2020.

The scheme would ensure a holistic and comprehensive care and protection of the children so that they can sustain and to enable their well-being through health insurance.

Meanwhile earlier in June, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had provided financial assistance to some of the children who were orphaned to COVID-19 in Assam.

The Assam CM handed over each child a fixed deposit certificate of Rs 7,81,002, a laptop, and a cheque of Rs 3,500 as financial aid for the current month.

It may be noted that, the monthly interest of Rs 3,500 that will be received from the fixed deposit will be provided to the legal guardian of those children for education and skill development purposes.

Reportedly, the fixed deposits that were handed over were for 24 years and on completion of the term, the principal amount of Rs 7,81,002 will be then credited to the account of these children.

CM Sarma had further asked the deputy commissioners to identify and make a list of all affected children for implementing the Shishu Seva Scheme.

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