Covid-19: 20 kids orphaned, 222 lost one parent
Source: Chronicle News Service / Sagolsem Bigyan

Imphal, January 21 2022: Manipur has witnessed 20 children turning orphans and 222 losing one of their parents since onset of Covid-19 pandemic in the state in March 2020.Till Wednesday, the state has recorded 2,019 Covid-19 deaths.

In many of these death cases, many children under 18 years of age either lost both parents or one of them.

According to a report of Social Welfare Department, the state has recorded 20 children who have lost both of their parents.

Presently, these children are staying with their relatives under the supervision of district child protection officers concerned.

So far, there have been no cases where the children are Without any guardians and have been kept at child care institute.

As per reports furnished by child protection officers of various districts, the district wise data of children who have lost both parents are three in Bishnupur, six in Ukhrul, five in Imphal East, three in Imphal West and one each in Kangpokpi, Senapati and Churachandpur.

Chief minister N Biren on May 30, 2021 had launched Chief Minister Angangi Tengbang (Chief Minister Bal Seva) scheme for children whose both parents have died of Covid-19.The guidelines of the scheme say that such children will receive Rs 3500 per month till they attain the age of 18 years which includes Rs 2500 under Child Protection Services scheme and Rs 1000 provided by state government.

The amount will soon be deposited in the bank accounts opened in the name of such affected children and can be operated by their guardians recognised by Child Welfare Committee.

As per the scheme, the inheritance of properties of the children will be protected with Manipur Legal Services Authority or District Legal Services Authority concerned providing legal assistance when required.

In case of orphaned children who have no relatives to be their guardians they will be kept at child care faculties under Child Protection Services scheme till they attain the age of 18 years, along with providing benefit of after-care services under a special programme till the age of 21 years.

So far, the state has not witnessed any such children as all of them live with their relatives.

The scheme also has special allowance for providing free education to girl child at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV).

It also encompasses one time provision of providing laptops to children who are going to study class XI or higher class or taking up vocational courses.

On top of this, children who have lost both parents can also avail the benefits of PM cares For Children scheme started by Prime Minster Narendra Modi on May 29, 2021.On the other hand, the state has 222 children who have suffered loss of one of their parents due to Covid-19 pandemic with 50 such cases in Imphal East district, one case each in Jiribam and Tamenglong districts, 71 in Imphal West district, 11 each in Thoubal and Kakching districts, 24 in Bishnupur district, six in Kangpokpi district, 20 in Ukhrul district, four in Kamjong district, eight in Noney district and 15 in Churachandpur district.

The authorities have stated that if such children are from weaker sections, then they will also be included under the Chief Minister Angangi Tengbang scheme.

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