Chandigarh approves 'Parvarish' scheme for children of COVID affected families
Chandigarh, July 17, 2021:
UT Administrator, V.P. Singh Badnore has approved PARVARISH- a scheme for the Development of Children affected/ Orphaned due to COVID formulated by Union Territory Child Protection Society under the aegis of the Department of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh on Saturday. The Scheme has been notified in the Chandigarh Administration Gazette.
The Scheme has been framed considering the effect of COVID which has taken a toll on lives and has left many children vulnerable & orphaned due to loss of their parent (s) or breadwinner of the family. PARVARISH aims to ensure holistic development of Children affected/ Orphaned due to COVID and to provide comprehensive support for their well-being.
The benefits of the said scheme will be extended to COVID Orphaned children or children who have lost one parent due to COVID and the surviving parent has surrendered the child, COVID Orphaned Children who are living with extended families/guardians, Children who have lost one parent due to COVID & are living with surviving parent/extended family as well as COVID positive children of Chandigarh.
For Children, who have lost one or both the parents due to COVID and have been placed in Child Care Institutions, their educational, medical & nutritional expenses will be borne by the Department of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh and a Fixed Deposit of Rs. 3,00,000 /- will also be made in the child’s name. The amount can be withdrawn by him/her after attaining the age of 21 years.
In addition to this, education of children studying in Government School will be free of cost and children studying in Private Schools will also be provided with an Annual Financial Support. Further, the eligible beneficiaries after attaining the age of 18 years will be provided financial support if they pursue short term Diploma courses, graduation or equivalent 3 year degree courses or Professional Degrees. The beneficiaries under the said scheme can avail the benefits w.e.f. March 2020.
Financial Support under the scheme will also be extended to COVID Positive children wherein monthly financial assistance of Rs. 2500/- will be provided for 03 months to meet their nutritional needs and it will be applicable to children found COVID Positive from 1st January’ 2021.
In addition to Financial and Educational benefits, children will also be provided with Counselling/Grief Counselling and need based therapeutic intervention in order to enable them to overcome the trauma associated with loss of their parent(s).
On the directions of the Secretary Social Welfare, District Child Protection Unit is conducting a survey of 800 families(data provided by the Department of Health) who have lost a member due to COVID in U.T., Chandigarh to identify children who have lost their parent (s) due to COVID. Any eligible beneficiaries covered under this scheme shall contact District Child Protection Unit at 0172-2643654.