20 Children from Manipur receive ‘PM CARES for Children’ benefits

Last Updated on February 17, 2023 by SPN Editor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released benefits under PM CARES for Children Scheme on Monday via video conference. Union Minister Smriti Irani, many other members of the Council of Ministers, and Chief Ministers were among those connected to the event.

Altogether 20 children of the State – five children from Imphal East, three from Imphal West, three from Bishnupur, six from Ukhrul, one from Senapati, one from Kangpokpi, and one from Churachandpur district received the benefits under PM CARES for Children Scheme.

Tweeting about the video conference, CM N Biren said, “Virtually joined the program where Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji released the benefits and other services to the children under “PM Cares for Children Scheme.”

Releasing the benefits, Prime Minister Modi said, “PM CARES for Children is a small effort to reduce the difficulties of such corona-affected children who lost both their mother and father. PM CARES for children is also a reflection of the fact that every countryman is with you with the utmost sensitivity.”

The Prime Minister informed that if someone needs an education loan for professional courses or higher education, then PM-CARES will help in that too. For other daily needs, arrangements have also been made for 4 thousand rupees every month for them through other schemes.

Apart from Rs 10 lakh on attaining the age of 23 years the children will be given health coverage through the Ayushman Card and emotional counselling through samvad helpline for psychological and emotional help.

Beneficiaries below 18 years of age watched the webcast from a separate room. Later, the Chief Minister handed over the benefits to selected children of the Imphal East district. Benefits to be given to the beneficiaries include,

I. Financial Support: PM CARES for Children Scheme Passbook (Maturity Amount is 10 lakh at the age of attaining 18 years of age).

II. Health Insurance: PM-JAY Health Card.

III. Assistance for School Education: Admission to any Central government school; expenses on uniforms, textbooks and notebooks will be paid by PM-CARES and a scholarship of Rs. 20,000 per annum for children of Class 1-12.

IV. Assistance for Higher Education: Swanath Scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per annum for technical education and KARMA Scholarship for skill.

V. Support for Boarding and Lodging: Under Child Protection Services, Rs. 4000 per month w.e.f April 1, 2022 for children staying with relatives.

VI. State specific benefits under Chief Ministergi Angangi Tenbang (Chief Minister’s Bal Seva):

A. Rs. 1500 per month per child (Rs. 13,500 released per child for nine months).

B. Laptop to school/college-going child who has passed Class X Board.

VII. COVID Ex-gratia Assistance of Rs. 50,000 to next of kin.

The benefits under the scheme will ensure that the welfare and best interests of the COVID-affected children are protected till they attain the age of 23 years.

Chief Minister N. Biren along with Ministers Th. Biswajit, L. Sushindro Meitei; MLAs L. Rameshwor Meitei, Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Th. Arunkumar; Secretary to Chief Minister Ningthoujam Geoffrey; Chairman Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Ph. Manibabu; DC Imphal East, Khumanthem Diana; Director (Social Welfare) Ng. Uttam and other officials also attended the video conference from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Imphal.