Navi Mumbai: NMMC announces social scheme including financial support to children orphaned due to COVID-19

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has decided to provide monetary support to those children who lost both mother and father or only father due to COVID infections. The civic body will provide a monthly stipend from Rs 1000 to Rs 6000, depending upon the age. The civic body will also provide financial assistance to women whose husbands died due to COVID infection.

The first and second waves of COVID hit hard, leaving many children orphaned. While some children lost both mother and father, many of them lost their fathers. Similarly, the death of a husband due to COVID has left his wife in a critical situation to run the family.

“Many children’s future is likely to be bleak if immediate support is not given. It is impossible to compensate for the emotional and personal loss of such orphans and women whose husbands have died suddenly due to cowardice. Considering that it is the social commitment of the corporation to provide welfare schemes to such children and women for their education, employment and financial independence as well as for them to live with dignity,” said Abhijit Bangar, the Municipal Commissioner. He added that the civic body is going to start four welfare schemes the civic Social Development Department.

As per the plan, for one child family, the NMMC will give Rs 1000 per month to the child between 0-5 years, whose either mother or father died due to COVID. Similarly, for two children family, the amount will be Rs 2000 per month. Similarly, for the age group 6 to 10 years, the amount will Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 per month respectively and for 11 to 18 years, the amount will Rs 3000 to Rs 6000 per month.

The civic body has already an independent scheme for the education of orphans. However, children between 18 years and 21 years who lost both mother and father will be given Rs 50,000 per month as financial assistance.

For women, who have lost their husbands will be given Rs 1.5 lakh as one-time financial support. In addition, there is Rs 1 lakh material to be provided to start self-employment. “Women who lost his husband will get all the benefits including a monthly stipend to his children,” said Bangar.

Details of the four scheme are available at the civic body’s website www.nmmc.gov.in or they can approach the social development department at civic headquarter in Belapur.