Odisha Govt Pays Rs 2,500 Monthly Assistance To Child Orphaned During COVID Pandemic

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has been paying Rs 2,500 to each of the children who lost their parents due to COVID and other reasons during the pandemic.

This was stated by Women and Child Development Minister Basanti Hembram in a written reply to a question of Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati in the Assembly on Friday.

The minister said 50,952 children aged below 18 years, who lost either their mother or father or both parents in the pandemic, have been identified in the state so far.

“Those children are provided financial assistance under the government’s Ashirbad scheme. The amount is deposited in the bank accounts of the beneficiary or family members who have taken the responsibility of the children,” she said.

“The children, who have lost a parent who was the breadwinner of the family, are paid Rs 1,500 per month. Besides, each orphan child, who resides in a childcare institution, is paid Rs 1,000 per month,” she said.

She further said the government would continue to provide the financial assistance to the children who have lost their parents during the pandemic till they attain the age of 18 years.