COVID-19 leaves over 1,450 children orphaned in Maha

State task force monitors care centres, adoptions under Central policy

The Covid 19 pandemic has taken away parental protection of 1450 children across the state, forcing many of them to take shelter at state government sponsored care centres. Alarmed over the reports of illegal adoptions, the state has appointed a task force to monitor the well-being of these children under the guidelines of the central government.

It is reported that 343 children have lost their parents and over 40 children have lost both mother and father, says a report by the State women and child development department. The department, headed by Minister Yashomati Thakur is monitoring the situation with a district-wise task force.

According to a senior official from the state government, comprehensive guidelines issued by the state on May 12 last made it mandatory for the task force to coordinate with the local hospitals and take note of such children who are in distress. The task force also coordinates with the hospitals if isolation of such children was required and arrangements, if required to be made. Around 140 children are currently at various children’s homes across the state.

The district task force is under the district collector with police superintendent, chief of municipal body, civil surgeon and chief of the district child welfare committee among the members. The task force decides on the future care of the children, if the child needs shelter, any support including the counselling is provided to them. Besides, a three-member team has been set up at Mantralaya level to coordinate with the district task force for the coordination.

The figures across the state reveal that 506 is the highest number of children who have lost either mother or father and this is from Bhandara district, followed by Nandurbar 201, Nanded 179, Dhule 25 and Yavatmal 24.