THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 87 children have been identified in the state who have lost their parents in the pandemic. These children will get the compensation of Rs 3 lakh each declared by the state government. For providing compensation, the government has sanctioned Rs 3.2 crore.
Health minister Veena George said the children who lost their parents due to Covid-19 were identified in a door-to-door survey conducted by the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)volunteers. Based on the survey conducted, the respective child welfare committees in each district visited them and have collected the details of the kind of help these children require in the future.
As per the government's earlier decision, a Rs 3 lakh fixed deposit in the child's name and monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 each will be given to these children. Apart from this, the education expense of these children till the degree course will be met from the chief minister’s relief fund.
As per the guidelines fixed by the government, children who have lost both their parents due to Covid-19, children who have lost their parents in the deaths occurred after three months of becoming negative but the death occurred due to the complications caused during the time of Covid-19, children who do not have parents and have lost the only guardian in the pandemic and the children who have lost the only parent during the pandemic will be eligible for the compensation declared by the government.
The minister said that the annual income of the family will not be any criteria for getting this benefit from the government. However, children in families who are getting the family pension of the state government will not be considered for this.
The minister said the fixed deposit has been decided such that the children can use the amount once they become 18 years of age. But they can withdraw the interest at any point of time as when they require.
