As the number of COVID-19 death toll keep rising, the Manipur government on Sunday announced the scheme "Chief Minister Bal Seva" (Chief Ministergi Angangi Tengbang) for those children who have lost both parents due to COVID-19 in the state.
Chief Minister N Biren stated in a post in his official Facebook account: "I am happy to announce the ‘Chief Minister Gi Angangi Tengbang’ scheme where we will be extending various assistance for children who have lost both their parents due to Covid."
Biren also extended his warm greetings to the people of the state as the NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed seven years on Sunday.
"As we are facing the pandemic, we have decided to focus on seva (service) instead of celebrating this milestone," added Biren.
Under the Chief Minister Bal Seva scheme, a financial assistance of Rs 3,500 per month will be provided to the caretaker or guardians of the orphaned child, provide protection of property rights, housed the child below 10 years (not having extended family or guardian) to a child care institute, ensure specific institutional care and education for adolescent girls and provide a laptop each.
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According to the details of the scheme, children in non-institutional care (with extended family or guardians) are supported with an amount of Rs 2,000 per child under the existing scheme for Child Protection, where the amount of Rs 2,000 is shared between the Centre and the state by amount of Rs 1,800 and Rs 200 respectively.
These children will be included in the scheme in case they opt to be with their extended family, grandparents or guardians and the state government will supplement the amount of Rs 2,000 with an additional amount of Rs 1,500 so that such children will be assisted with a total of Rs 3,500 per month, with Rs 1,700 borne by the state sovernment. It added.
The scheme also mentioned that there will be exemption of stamp duty for registration of property (land) in the name of the orphans in respect of land property owned by their deceased parents and the land revenue will be exempted for such transferred land till the child attends the age of 21 years.
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Stating that childcare institutions are supported by the Centre by providing Rs 2,160 as maintenance grant per child per month, the scheme stated that children below 10 years who may not have an extended family or guardian will be housed in one of the childcare institutions.
Further mentioning that KGBV are residential schools run by the Centre where girl children are given free of cost education, the scheme also stated that adolescent girls will be given preference for education in KGBVS to ensure their sensitive care and proper protection.
Regarding the laptop, the scheme mentioned that a laptop will be provided as a one-time special assistance to such children, who are studying in class 11 or above or undergoing a vocational course after completing Class 10.
