PM-Cares Fund Will Help Children Orphaned by COVID-19
The Supreme Court has asked the central government whether the PM-CARES Fund can help children who have been orphaned by Covid-19?
- The Supreme Court has asked the Central Government whether funds can be released immediately from the PM Cares Fund for the education of those children who have become orphans during the pandemic.
- The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has informed that one of the parents of 9346 children has died due to the outbreak of Corona virus. Also, there are more than 1700 such children whose both parents have died.
Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund: PM CARES Fund
- This is a dedicated fund to deal with any kind of emergency or calamity (such as the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic).
- Contributions are made to this fund by individuals/organizations, which are completely voluntary contributions. It is to be noted that it does not get any budgetary support.
- Donations made to the PM-Cares Fund are subject to tax benefits under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Also, the donation made in it is also counted as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013.
- The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairman of the PM CARES Fund and the Defense Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister are the ex-officio trustees of the fund.
Other measures taken for children affected by Covid-19
- The ‘PM Cares for Children’ scheme has been launched to support and empower the children affected by COVID.
- Some guidelines have also been issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, such as: There is a need to identify the COVID affected children through serious efforts.
- Their specific requirements can be uploaded on ‘Track Child’ portal.
- Ensure temporary rehabilitation of children etc.
Source – The Hindu
