Gzb lists 316 kids who lost 1 or both parents to Covid

Ghaziabad: At least 316 children lost either one or both of their parents due to Covid-19 pandemic in Ghaziabad, a survey conducted by the district administration has found.
As per official records, 25 children have been orphaned during the pandemic while 263 lost their fathers to the infection and 28 others lost their mothers. So far, the administration has extended financial assistance to around 100 children while as many others will get the same this week, officials said.
District surveillance officer Dr RK Gupta on Sunday said the survey report has been submitted to the district administration for further action.“Detailed guidelines have been issued by the state government to provide relief to such children. The social welfare department, under the chief development officer, is monitoring this relief work,” Gupta added.
Earlier, the state government launched the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Child Service Scheme for arranging maintenance, education, and medical facilities for affected children.
District probation officer Vikas Chandra said, “Forms of all children have been filled up and about 100 children have been given monetary assistance, so far. According to the government’s order, an amount on the basis of Rs 4,000 per month for the next three months has been deposited in their legal guardian’s bank account. Next time, a consolidated amount for the next six months would be deposited.” The district administration has sought funds to pay the next instalment, officials said.
Children studying in class IX and above would be provided with a laptop. Chandra added that there is also a provision to admit students to Atal Residential Schools and Kasturba Gandhi Residential Schools.
As per the criteria of identifying beneficiaries (up to 18 years), the victim must be a resident of Uttar Pradesh and should have lost an income-earning parent whose annual income is not more than Rs 2 lakh, Chandra informed.
To avail the welfare scheme benefits, one has to submit RT-PCR positive test report, blood report or CT scan of their parents as proof. Even as those people who had died due to post-Covid complications are being considered under the scheme, officials said, adding that all children of a family will be able to get the benefit of the scheme.