In a move to support the lives of children orphaned in the pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday has an announced slew of relief measures under PM Cares for Children.

The decision has been taken after PM Modi headed the Covid review meeting, in which the impact of the pandemic on children was assessed and measures were formulated to mitigate it.

Under these relief measures, PM Modi has announced to give Rs 10 lakh to each child orphaned in a pandemic when they reach 18 years of age. This Rs10 lakh would be given to the children in the form of a monthly stipend from 18-23 years of age in lieu to support children’s personal requirements during their higher education period.

However, when the child will reach the age of 23, he/she would get the total amount as a lump sum so they can utilize it for their personal as well as professional needs.

Apart from this, PM Modi has also decided to provide free education to these children.

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"Children represent the future of the country and we will do everything to support and protect the children. It is our duty, as a society, to care for our children and instill hope for a bright future," PM Modi said.

Children who are under 10 years, will get admission to the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or as a day scholar in a private school. In private schools, the tuition fee will be paid as per the RTE norms. From the PM Cares fund, children’s uniforms, textbooks, and notebooks expenditure will be made.

According to these measures, for the children between 11-18 years, a child will get admission in any Central Government residential schools such as Sainik School, Navodya Vidyalaya, etc. In case a child belongs to an extended family and they are looking after him then he/she can get admission to the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or a private school.

PM Modi while announcing the measures said his government will provide assistance to children in availing an educational loan for their higher education/ professional courses. Also, the interest amount on these loans will be paid by the government itself.

To promote the health of such children, PM Modi said all these children will be enrolled under Ayushman Bharat’s insurance cover Rs 5 lakh till they reach 18 years of age and the premium will be paid as part of the scheme. 

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It is to be noted here that, PM Modi said these measures have only been announced due to the generous contributions to the PM Cares Fund, which has been initiated to support India’s fight against Covid.