Sakshi Deepu
Patna: Patna District Magistrate Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh held an interaction today with the beneficiaries of the ‘PM Cares for Children Scheme’ and their guardians at the New Collectorate conference hall. The initiative aimed to address concerns related to education, health, and career planning for children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 11 beneficiaries currently supported under the scheme, seven children attended in person with their guardians, while four participated via video conferencing.
The event began with an overview of the scheme provided by Uday Kumar Jha, Assistant Director of the District Child Protection Unit. He explained that the initiative is designed to support children who lost their parents or guardians during the pandemic. Key benefits include a financial corpus of ₹10 lakh, maturing when the beneficiary turns 23, ₹5 lakh health insurance, scholarships for schooling and higher education, mental health counseling, and social rehabilitation services.
Listening to Aspirations
Dr. Singh interacted individually with each child to discuss their future goals and educational needs. Guardians were encouraged to share challenges related to their children’s education and health. The children candidly spoke about their aspirations and the hurdles they face. To streamline support, Dr. Singh directed the creation of a WhatsApp group connecting beneficiaries, their guardians, and members of the Child Protection Unit. The group aims to provide prompt solutions to issues related to education, health, and other services.
Ensuring Long-Term Support
The District Magistrate also emphasized the importance of quarterly review meetings to monitor the progress of the beneficiaries. He suggested involving other administrative officials in these interactions to inspire and motivate the children. For those aged 18 and above, he instructed that they be linked to the Student Credit Card scheme for higher education support and provided career counseling. Guardians expressed their appreciation for consistent guidance from the Child Protection Unit regarding education and health. They also acknowledged timely benefits under the Child Assistance and Sponsorship schemes.
Additional Measures
The Assistant Director noted that expert counselors have been appointed to provide mental and emotional support to the children. Furthermore, Ayushman health cards have been issued for all beneficiaries.
Dr. Singh assured all attendees that their concerns would be addressed on a priority basis. He encouraged the children to strive for self-reliance and wished them success in their endeavors. The program concluded with a reaffirmation of the administration’s commitment to securing the children’s bright future.
