Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced two major welfare schemes for orphaned children and those widowed by due to COVID-19.
With an aim to inoculate the entire state before August 15, Assam introduced welfare schemes for children orphaned by Covid and those who have lost their spouse to Covid. Payments under the schemes will reach beneficiaries on the 10th of every month, Himanta Sarma said.
"After the age of 24, they will get the principal amount too. Verification is going on and soon the other children will also receive the benefit under the scheme that covers those orphaned with family support and without family support," Mr Sarma said after officially handing over the cheques in Guwahati.
Mr Sarma, during a media interaction marking the completion of one month of his taking charge as the chief minister, spoke about the state's COVID-19 vaccination drive and fight against drugs among other things.
June 10 marked the initiation of the Mukhya Mantri Sishu Seva Yojana under which 11 children who were orphaned due to Covid, received a financial assistance of Rs 3,500 for this month and a fixed deposit of Rs 7,81,200 against which, they will get Rs 3,500 monthly from next month till they are 24 years old. They have also been given a laptop each.
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