Tamil Nadu govt offers financial aid, free education to children orphaned by Covid-19

Tamil Nadu govt offers financial aid, free education to children orphaned by Covid-19
on May 31, 2021

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced that children who have lost their parents or guardians due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be provided with a financial aid of Rs. 5 lakh for their needs and necessities. The government will also provide them with free education till graduation. An official release said that a special task force under district collector has already been set up to identify the children whose parents succumbed to the disease and provide them with the much-needed assistance. In order to protect such hapless children, the Chief Minister directed the government officials to provide relief. The amount along with interest will be given to the child upon attaining the age of 18 years. Similarly, Rs 5 lakh will be deposited in the name of children who have already lost their mother or father and now lost the only parent to Covid-19.

Accommodation for orphaned children

Children who have lost their parents in the pandemic will also be provided with accommodation in government homes and hostels. The Chief Minister said that the government would bear all the expenses of such children, including accommodation, up to their graduation. The official release also stated that a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 will be provided towards the care of children growing up with the support of a relative or guardian, till they reach 18 years of age. A guidance panel headed by the additional chief secretary of the finance department, officials including those from the social welfare department, and representatives from the non-governmental organisations will be formed to formulate guidelines to provide the above relief to each child. Source: Indiatoday