UP launches Bal Sewa Yojana to rehabilitate Covid orphans

The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday launched the UP CM Bal Sewa Yojana, aimed at rehabilitation of children who have lost either or both their parents to Covid since March last year.

Under the scheme, 4,050 children identified as having lost either or both their parents, or legal guardians, will get Rs 4,000 each per month. The state also transferred a total of Rs 12,000 or three months' amount under the scheme to the beneficiaries in one go on Thursday.


Apart from the financial aid, children from the age of 11 to 18 will also be eligible for free education in the Atal Residential schools being started by the state government for children of registered labourers at each of the 18 divisional headquarters, as well as in Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas.

Besides, those children from classes 9 and above as well as those up till age 18 who are involved in business education, will also be given laptops and tablets. For girls who have attained a marriageable age, a provision of Rs 1.01 lakh has been made for their weddings.

Out of the 4,050 children identified in the state, 240 were those who lost both their parents or legal guardians. 3,810 children lost either of the two parents or legal guardians.

"The sensitivity of the government towards public issues should be visible also. It is this sensitivity that connects the administration with the public," chief minister Yogi Adityanath said. Adityanath said the scheme was started on the direction of prime minister Narendra Modi to come up with such schemes. Additionally, he said, the centre has also announced the PM Cares for Children Scheme and its benefits too will be provided to the children, once its provisions are out.

The CM said not just covid, those children who have lost both their parents to non-Covid reasons also should be extended aid so that they do not feel abandoned. The women and child welfare department has been directed for the same.