Maharashtra govt to formulate education, financial schemes for Covid-19 orphans

Maharashtra has been planning schemes for the education and financial support of children orphaned due to Covid-19 since last year.

Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Yashomati Thakur on Monday said that apart from providing financial support to children who lost their parents due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the state is now formulating schemes for their education and other daily needs. Early this month, the Maharashtra government announced that fixed deposits of Rs five lakh will be made in the name of children who have lost at least one parent to Covid-19. They will also get a monthly allowance of Rs 1,125. "Only giving financial support will not suffice... they need to be given guidance, counselled, and provided with other kinds of support," the minister said. Ms. Thakur said the state cabinet, at its meeting this week, is likely to take certain decisions in this regard.