Assam CM announces Rs. 3,500 per month for children orphaned by COVID

GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today announced financial incentives for children who lose their parents to COVID-19 amid the steep rise in the number of cases in Assam in the 'second wave' of the pandemic.

The scheme, named Chief Minister's Shishu Sewa scheme, will be launched on the completion of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 7 years of rule, will see the distribution of financial benefits to children who have lost their parents or the 'breadwinner' of the family.

"Such children will receive Rupees 3,500 each month," Sarma said, adding that a Central Government scheme that provides Rupees 2,000 to such children will also be implemented wherever applicable.

They will continue to receive the amount until they finish their education and become employed, Biswa Sarma added.

The chief minister also added that children who do not have any guardian to take care of them will be enrolled in government schools with hostel facilities such as Navodaya and Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalaya.

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Such women who are of marriageable age will be given a sum of Rupees 50,000 apart from the 1 tola gold to be given under the flagship 'Arunodoy' scheme.

These children shall also be given either a laptop or a computer to aid in their education.

These children, Sarma said, will be given 'skill education' "leading to employment" so that they can earn money to sustain themselves.

Assam reported 5,436 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, informed the state government.

Now, the total case count in the state shot up to 3,98,010.

The northeastern state also saw 5,760 recoveries and 80 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the overall tallies to 3,40,178 and 3,168 respectively. The current positivity rate in the state is 4.78 percent.

At present, Assam has as many as 53,317 active cases.

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