In addition to the measures announced under PM CARES for Children — Empowerment of Covid affected children — the government has announced further measures to help families who have lost the earning member due to Covid. As part of measures, the government will provide pension to families of those who died due to Covid and an enhanced and liberalised insurance compensation.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Children who have lost both parents or their lone surviving parent or their legal guardian or adoptive parent due to COVID-19 will be supported under the scheme. The Women and Child Development Ministry has said that there are a total 577 COVID-19 orphans identified across the country.

The PM said that in such trying times it is our duty, as a society, to care for our children and instill hope for a bright future. All children who have lost both parents or surviving parents or legal guardian/adoptive parents due to Covid 19 will be supported under the PM-CARES for Children’ scheme. He also added that the measures being announced have only been possible due to the generous contributions to the PM CARES Fund which will support India’s fight against COVID-19.

Free insurance and interest free loan

According to information received from the PMO, all orphaned children will be given free education. The children will be assisted to get an education loan for higher education & PM CARES will pay interest on the loan. The children will get free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat till 18 years & the premium will be paid by PM CARES.

Pension scheme for kin of COVID-19 victims

The government has also announced measures to help the families who have lost the sole earning member due to COVID-19. The pension scheme of the Employees State Insurance Corporation, applicable for employment-related deaths, is being extended to those who died due of COVID-19. The scheme will come into effect from March 24, 2020 to March 24, 2022.

Similarly, insurance benefits under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme (EDLI) under the Employees Provident Fund Organisation will be available, according to a press statement.