Assam Government announces schemes for COVID-19 orphans

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Government has announced a slew of schemes benefiting the COVID-19 orphans, including payment of Rs 3,500 per month to each of such orphans till becoming self-reliant.

The implementation of this generosity under the Mukhya Mantrir Shishu Seva Asoni (MMSSA) will be started from May 30, 2021, in sync with the completion of the seventh year of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.

Making this announcement on Saturday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We're going to pay Rs 3,500 per month to each of COVID-19 orphans who lost the earning members (mother or father) of the family. The payment will continue till the child becomes self-reliant.

"Children and adolescents, especially girls, who have lost their parents and have no near and dear ones to look after them, will be imparted education in residential schools at the government's cost.

"If a girl of marriageable age loses her parents in the COVID-19, she will get one tola gold and Rs 50,000 in cash on the date of her marriage. The Government will provide laptops or computer sets to all COVID-19 orphans.

"In case, any orphan child doesn't have extended family/grandparents/guardians, the government will take steps to house them in one of the childcare institutions and provide adequate funding towards their upkeep and educational expenditure."

The Chief Minister said that the purpose of this scheme is to extend support to the COVID-19 orphans till they become self-reliant.

"Such benefits are also applied to the COVID-19 orphans of Assam origin staying outside the State, but they can be admitted to residential schools in Assam only," the Chief Minister said.

Sarma further said that this scheme will be implemented by the Social Welfare and Education departments of the State, and the implementation will be monitored by the Assam State Child Commission. The deputy commissioners will make the list of beneficiary children that can be compared with the government's records of COVID-19 victims, the Chief Minister said.

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