Bhubaneswar (Odisha): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday launched "Ashirbad", a scheme for the education, health and maintenance of COVID orphans. As per the official release by the Odisha CMO, children who have lost their parents or the main earning person of the family on April 1, 2020, or after that due to COVID-19 will be covered under the scheme. The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to providing a safe environment for the overall development of these children who need special care in society.
As per the provision of the scheme, Rs 2,500 per month will be provided to the children who lost both parents/ single parents and Rs 1500 per month to the children who have lost their father or mother who was the only earning member of the family and now staying the surviving parents. Besides, if the surviving parent is a mother, she will also be entitled to the pension user State's Madhu Babu Pension Scheme. The money will be deposited in the bank accounts of the family members/ surviving parents who have taken the responsibility for the children after the death of their parents. This support will continue until the child is 18 years. If a child is adopted, he or she will no longer be eligible to get the assistance."
If the orphaned child is living in a child care institution he or she will get Rs 1,000 per month, which will be deposited in the child's bank account as a recurring deposit until the child reaches the age of eighteen years. "These children will get free medical benefits under the state government's Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana or will be included in the National or State Food Security Scheme." Children can also continue to attend the same school where they were studying before the death of the parent. The government will help in the admission of the children in Adarsh Vidhyalaya or Central School and for higher education. Children will be supported under the state government's Green Passages scheme.