The Mukhyamantri Bal Sewa Yojana which was announced by Haryana Chief Minister with the aim to rehabilitate and assist children below 18 years of age who have lost both their parents / surviving parent / legal guardian / adoptive parent(s) due to COVID– 19 last month has been given the green flag from the Legal Remembrancer Department, Finance Department, Council of Ministers.
While giving further information, an official spokesperson said the scheme has also been approved in the meeting of Standing Finance Committee held on June 10.
He said under the scheme benefits will be provided to the beneficiaries already identified by the districts. This includes Financial Assistance for Children in Non – Institutional Care living with their extended family / guardians will be supported with an amount of Rs 2500 per child per month till the attainment of age of 18 years. Of this, amount of Rs 2000 per month will be made available through the existing Centrally Sponsored Scheme, he added.
He further informed that an additional financial assistance of Rs 12,000 per annum will be provided to the extended family / guardian for educational purpose of the child. This assistance will be deposited in the joint bank account of the child & extended family / guardian till the child attains the age of 18 years.
The spokesperson said the scheme also covers children who may not have an extended family/ grandparents / guardians and would be housed in child care institutions in the State. There are 59 Child Care Institutions in Haryana. In addition, financial assistance of Rs 1500 per month till the age of 18 years will be deposited in a recurring deposit account, the proceeds of which on maturity will be given to such child on attaining the age of 21 years, he added.
He said in case of adolescent girls orphaned due to Covid, preference will be given for education in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalas (KGBVS ) which provide free residential education to ensure their sensitive care and proper protection and they will be provided a financial assistance on the pattern as provided to the children housed in Child Care Institutions.
The spokesperson said girls orphaned due to Covid will be supported under ‘Mukhyamantri Vivaah Shagun Yojana ‘ with financial assistance of Rs 51000 for their marriage. The amount would be maintained in the name of the girl child to be redeemed along with accumulated interest at the time of marriage, he added.
He further informed that children who are studying in any class between VIII to XII or in a vocational course will be provided a computer tablet to aid their education.
