Maharashtra Govt. approves relief for children orphaned by COVID

In June, 2021 the Department of women and Child Development issued a notification outlining the set of guidelines applicable to children orphaned by COVID-19.

Beneficiaries of the scheme:

1. Children in the age group of 0 to 18 years who have died due to Corona (Covind-19) infection on or after March 1, 2020.

2. On or after March 1, 2020, if one parent (mother or father) dies due to Covid-19 and one parent dies due to other reasons, their children between the ages of 0 to 18 years.

3. If a parent (mother or father) has died before March 1, 2020, and if a parent has died of Covid on or after March 1, 2020, then their children between the ages of 0 and 18 years.

Nature of Benefit:

1. Children who have been orphaned due to Covid 19 infection. If no member of the family / relative is willing to take care of such child, he / she will be admitted to the kindergarten according to the prescribed procedure considering that the child needs care and protection. In addition, a lump sum of ₹ 5.00 lakh (literally Rs. 5 lakh only) will be deposited in the child's name as a fixed deposit.

2. Children who have been orphaned due to Covid 19 infection. If his relatives are willing to take care of such children, then the child care scheme coming under Government Resolution dated 6.4.2021 under the Department of Women and Child Development will be permissible for such children. In addition, a lump sum of Rs. 15.00 lakhs (literally Rs. 5 lakhs only) will be deposited in the name of the child as a fixed deposit.

3. Under this scheme, the lump sum term deposit will be credited to a common bank account in the name of the concerned child and District Women and Child Development Officer.

Terms and conditions of the scheme:

1. Eligible beneficiary should be a resident of Maharashtra.

2. Certificate of competent authority for death of parents (death certificate)

3. Birth certificate of eligible beneficiary.

4. If the beneficiary goes to school. T.C. / Bonafide Certificate,

5. 5.00 lakh deposited as lump sum term deposit in the name of the child will be drawn only after the age of 21 years.

6. The amount of financial assistance received under the child care scheme is for the child as well as his current parents (relatives). This amount can be used for various educational and medical needs of the beneficiary.

7. In order for the principal amount invested in the term deposit and the interest payable on it at the age of 21 years to be admissible, the girl will have to remain unmarried till the age of 18 years and the boy has to complete the age of 21 years.

8. In case of marriage of a girl or a boy before the prescribed time or in case of death of the beneficiary due to natural or any other reason, the said amount will be deposited in the Consolidated Fund of the Government.

9. A copy of the investment certificate issued by the bank will remain with the beneficiary and the District Women and Child Development Officer after the amount is deposited as a fixed deposit in the name of the non-institutional beneficiary. A copy of the certificate to the Superintendent of the concerned organization and the District Women and Child Development Officer will remain.

Procedure for application and approval of proposal:

1. Action will be taken to search for children orphaned due to Covid infection on or after March 1, 2020 through a task force constituted by the Government Resolution dated 7.5.2021 of the Department of Women and Child Development.

2. The District Women and Child Development Officer will be responsible for providing benefits to the orphans by submitting the documents of the children who want to take advantage of this scheme and orphaned due to Covid infection.

3. The District Women and Child Development Officer after confirming that all the documents are correct and the death of both the parents, should submit the proposal for financial sanction to the task force constituted under the chairmanship of the District Collector as per Government Resolution, Department of Women and Child Development, dated 7.5.2021.

4. After the approval of the proposal by the committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Collector, the amount will be credited to the common bank account in the name of the concerned child and District Women and Child Development Officer.

5. If it is observed that the amount payable under the child care scheme for the eligible child is being spent by the parent / relative for other purposes and not for the child and the child is being neglected, the child will be admitted to the nursery / nursery for care and protection.

6. It is the responsibility of the district women and child development officer to hold regular meetings of the committee for the approval of the proposal

7. It will be the responsibility of the concerned District Women and Child Development Officer to ensure that the children who are in the custody of their parents or relatives are being properly cared for under the scheme.