48 children orphaned in Bihar, to get help under existing scheme
A total of 48 children have been rendered orphans in the second wave of Covid-19 in Bihar while 1,486 have lost one of their parents, according to state’s social welfare department, which plans to extend financial assistance to their foster parents under a scheme that was introduced in 2015.
On Friday, the Supreme Court too intervened in the matter, seeking nationwide information on children orphaned or missing since the pandemic began in March last year and directed the states to provide all basic amenities to them at the earliest.
Under the Bihar government’s scheme, called “Parvarish Yojana”, financial assistance is given to blood relatives who agree to take care of the orphaned child. The orphan and the foster family need to open a joint bank account for money transfer. The scheme envisages a monthly assistance of Rs 900 for each child up to six years of age and Rs 1,000 for those up to 18 years of age. The scheme also applies for organisations taking care of orphans, deprived and disabled children.
Atul Prasad, additional chief secretary of women and children development, said, “Considering the pandemic situation, we have expedited the process to benefit the applicants. Through advertisements, we announce contact details of district nodal officers so that they can avail of the benefit. We also work closely with Childline and child activists.”
“Around 900 new beneficiaries have been added to the Parvarish scheme in April-May this
ON FRIDAY, THE SC TOO INTERVENED IN THE MATTER, SEEKING NATIONWIDE INFO ON KIDS MISSING OR ORPHANED SINCE LAST YEAR
year, though it’s difficult to identify the exact number of beneficiaries added due to Covid-19,” Prasad said.
Sources in the department said the state enrols 400-450 orphans in the list every month on an average.
Raj Kumar, director at the social welfare department, said district child protection units are working to collect information about orphaned children and spread awareness about the scheme.
“We are creating awareness about the scheme through advertisements and other channels like through public service announcements, self help groups and Anganwadi sevikas. Altogether 14,000 children are availing of the benefit of the scheme at present. Those children who have no one to look after them are sheltered in the 76 child care homes in the state,” said Prasad.
However, the awareness about the scheme remains low.
Birendra Kumar, a native of Siwan district, looks after four nieces and nephews. “My sister passed away two months back and my brother died this month. I have taken the responsibility of all four children.”
Asked whether he is aware of Parvarish Yojna, Kumar replied in negative.
Meanwhile, the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) has also come out with a proposal to bear the expenses of livelihood and study of those orphaned due to the pandemic. BPCC chief Madan Mohan Jha said the children, whose parents have died due to Covid and are financially weak, can approach the BPCC Covid helpline number 06122262334 with valid documents for getting enrolled for the scheme. State coordinator for BPCC Covid helpline, Kumar Ashish, said monthly financial help would be decided on evaluation of the financial condition of children and their family background.