Nashik: Rs 5 lakh each to 24 children orphaned due to Covid

NASHIK: As many as 24 children aged under 18 years, orphaned due to Covid, have been announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each.
The child care and protection task force of the district today met under the chairmanship of Nashik district collector Suraj Mandhare, along with Nashik ZP CEO Leena Bansod, superintendent of police Sachin Patil.
“The children, who have been orphaned due to Covid, will be given the financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each in the form of fixed deposit till the child attains ‘major’ status,” Mandhare said.
The FD will be a joint account in the name of the child and the women and child development office (WCD). The children are also entitled to Rs 1,100 per month under the Bal Sangopan Yojana.
The collector added that relatives, who are in difficult financial condition, should be encouraged to send the child to a government children’s home. “It has to be ensured that the relatives do not face ‘financial problems’ as they have their own responsibilities,” he said.
As many as 861 children have lost a parent due to Covid in the district. Of them, 24 children under 18 years of age have lost both their parents and remaining 778 children have lost one parent, said district WCD officer Surekha Patil.
Of the total children, who lost a parent, 396 have been sanctioned the benefits of Bal Sangopan Yojana and Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards are also being issued to them.