In News:

• The PM CARES schemes for Children have approved benefits for a total of 4,439 children.
• The scheme is open to children who lost both parents or a primary caregiver between March 11, 2020 and February 28, 2022. 

What’s in today’s article:

• PM CARES for Children Scheme
  • About
  • Nodal agencies
  • Objectives
  • Salient features

PM CARES for Children Scheme:

• About:
  • It was launched on 29th May 2021, with the aim to support children who have lost both the parents or legal guardian or adoptive parents or surviving parent to COVID-19 pandemic during the period starting from 11th March 2020.
  • The scheme is accessible through an online portal (pmcaresforchildren.in).
    • The States/UTs have been asked to identify and register eligible children on the portal.
    • Any Citizen can also inform the administration regarding a child eligible for support under this scheme through the portal.
  • Nodal agencies:
    • The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, shall be the nodal ministry for execution of the scheme at the central level.
    • The Department of the State/UT government dealing with the Juvenile Justice set up in the State shall be the nodal agency at State level.
    • The District Magistrates shall be the nodal authority at District level for execution of the scheme.
  • The objectives of the Scheme:
    • To ensure comprehensive care and protection of Children in a sustained manner.
    • To enable their wellbeing through health insurance.
    • To empower them through education and equip them for self-sufficient existence with financial support on reaching 23 years of age.
  • Salient features:
    • 
    • The scheme offers a lump sum amount of ₹10 lakh when children turn 23 years old as well as a monthly stipend from 18 years to 23 years.
    • School-going children will also receive free education, textbooks and uniforms at the nearest government schools.
      • Those in private schools may avail fee reimbursement under norms for the Right to Education Act, 2005.
    • Older students can also avail free education at residential schools such as Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya.
    • Students between Class 1 and Class 12 will also receive a scholarship of ₹20,000 per month from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
    • Students can also avail loans for professional courses and higher education.
    • Beneficiaries can also avail health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh at public and private hospitals under the Pradhan Mantri-Jan Aarogya Yojana or Ayushman Bharat scheme.