COVID RELEIF FOR CHILDREN FROM PM CARES

COVID RELEIF FOR CHILDREN FROM PM CARES

Subject: Governance

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the roll-out of a slew of benefits under PM Cares for Children, in a bid to support children who lost their parents to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Concept:

• Orphaned children will receive a monthly stipend once they turn 18 and a fund of Rs 10 lakh when they turn 23.
• The government will also ensure free education for such children.
• Free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat till 18 years and premium will be paid a part of the scheme.

PM CARES Fund

• Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, or the PM CARES Fund, was set up to tackle distress situations such as that posed by the COVID19 pandemic.
• The fund receives voluntary contributions from individuals and organisations and does not get any budgetary support. Donations have been made tax exempt, and can be counted against a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• It is also exempt from the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and accepts foreign contributions, although the Centre has previously refused foreign aid to deal with disasters such as the Kerala floods.
• The Prime Minister chairs the fund in his official capacity, and can nominate three eminent persons in relevant fields to the Board of Trustees. The Ministers of Defense, Home Affairs and Finance are ex officio Trustees of the Fund.