Days after the Centre announced the 'PM CARES for children' initiative to help minors whose parents had passed away from COVID-19, critics remain irked by several facets of the plan. A quick perusal of Twitter indicates that many remain on the fence, with poll strategist Prashant Kishor holding a prominent position.
"Several children lost their parents due to COVID-19. The Government will care for these children, ensure a life of dignity & opportunity for them. PM-CARES for Children will ensure education & other assistance to children," Prime Minister Modi had tweeted on Saturday sharing the detailed press release for the same.
Hours later, on Sunday, the former JD(U) politician took to Twitter hitting out at the Narendra Modi-led government in no uncertain terms, dubbing the initiative "another masterstroke" by the Centre. The administration, he alleged was now "redefining empathy and care" for the children affected by the pandemic and its "catastrophic mishandling" of the situation.
"Instead of receiving much needed support NOW, the children should feel POSITIVE about a PROMISE of stipend when they turn 18," he tweeted. Kishor also took a swipe at the Ayushman Bharat scheme and noted that the right to education was a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of India.
For the uninitiated, the government had on Saturday announced a number of welfare measures for children who lost their parents to COVID-19, including ensuring a corpus of Rs 10 lakh when they turn 23 years of age and providing for their education. The PMO said in a statement that fixed deposits will be opened in the names of such children, and the PM-CARES fund will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each of them.
This corpus will be used to give a monthly financial support or stipend from 18 years of age for the next five years to take care of his or her personal requirements during the period of higher education. On reaching the age of 23 years, they will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use.
The PMO said children under 10 years will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar. Those between 11-18 years of age will be given admission in any central government residential school such as Sainik School and Navodaya Vidyalaya.
(With inputs from agencies)
