Express News Service
PATNA: A day after the Centre announced a slew of measures to help children orphaned by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday also made a similar announcement for such kids.
Taking to his social media accounts, Kumar said his government would provide monthly stipends for the bereaved children, a boarding facility for those left with no caretaker, and give special impetus to the education of orphaned girls.
“Boys and girls who have lost their mothers and fathers – with at least one parent succumbing to COVID – will get a sum of Rs 1,500 every month from the state government till they attain the age of 18 years,” Kumar said.
He said the aid will be provided under his government’s ‘Baal Sahaayta Yojana’, meant for needy children.
The CM further stated that “boys and girls who are left with no guardian to bring them up will be provided shelter at Baal Griha. Priority will be accorded to get such orphaned girls admitted to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya schools”.
वैसे बच्चे-बच्चियों जिनके माता पिता दोनो की मृत्यु हो गई, जिनमें कम से कम एक की मृत्यु कोरोना से हुई हो, उनको ‘बाल सहायता योजना’ अंतर्गत राज्य सरकार द्वारा 18 वर्ष होने तक 1500 रू0 प्रतिमाह दिया जाएगा। (1/2)
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) May 30, 2021
According to the state social welfare department, a total number of 1,534 children in Bihar have been found affected during the ongoing second wave of the pandemic following the death of their one or both parents due to the virus.
Among all them, 48 children have been found orphaned after the death of their both parents. Former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said 100 donors have also come forward under the Dadhichi Deh Dan Samiti to provide Rs 1,000 in the account of each orphaned children per month.
Speaker of Bihar Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha said all MLAs should step forward and play the role of guardians of these children.
