P Srinivasan I [email protected]
After losing their parents to Covid-19, these children from different parts of Rajasthan were trying to cope with their life, when happiness knocked on their doors. Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot invited these children to his official residence on the occasion of Diwali.
These children enjoyed the dance, music, band, magic show and other entertaining programmes organised for them. Gehlot too enjoyed being with these children and also played many games with them.
Priya and Payal from Alwar said, “We thank the chief minister for extending support during our tough times considering us as part of his family. We were alone after our parents passed away, but the government supported us, showed us the way and bore our education expenses and motivated us.”
Similarly, other children too shared their experiences and thanked Gehlot and his government for the much-needed help extended during their tough times. Around 231 children along with their guardians had come to the chief minister’s residence.
Gehlot said, “Challenges keep coming in life. The circle of joy and grief keeps going, but we have to keep moving ahead and work hard to achieve our goals.” He said that the government is taking care of the children with complete commitment. He inspired the children to dream and to study and work hard to achieve the same. The government is with them at every step, he added.
He interacted with children to know their situation after Covid. The chief minister directed the officers to make fresh Janadhaar cards for these children so that they get the benefits of the scheme on time. He also directed the officials to immediately resolve the problems faced by these children and their family members. Gehlot gave away gifts and sweets to these children.
The state government till October 2022 has given the assistance of Rs 2.99 crore to the orphaned children and spent Rs 8.62 crore on children of 8329 widows. Similarly, Rs 143.09 crore has been spent on 12601 widows and Rs 1.55 crore has been spent under Chief Minister Corona Assistance Scheme.
It is to be mentioned that the state government announced Mukhyamantri Corona Sahayata Yojana (Chief Minister Corona Assistance Scheme) to provide economic, social and educational support to orphaned children, widows and their children and implemented it in the entire state on June 25, 2021.
Each orphaned boy/girl was immediately given an assistance of Rs 1 lakh and on completion of 18 years a lump sum assistance of Rs 5 lakh is being given. Rs 2500 per month till the age of 18 years.
Widows were immediately given an assistance of Rs 1 lakh along with a pension of Rs 1500 per month.
Children of widows are being Rs 1000 per month and Rs 2000 per annum till the age of 18 years.
Free assistance/residential schools/hostels to orphaned children
Priority in admission to college girls in the hostels of the social welfare department
Boys going to college are given the benefit of the Ambedkar DBT voucher scheme for the facility of lodging.
