Shillong, May 30: Thirteen children from Meghalaya will be availing benefits under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday released benefits under PM CARES for Children Scheme via video conference.

There are four children from East Khasi Hills, two from West Khasi Hills, two from West Jaintia Hills, three from East Jaintia Hills, and two from Ri-bhoi district covered by the Scheme.

Assistant Director (CNCP), Social Welfare department, East Khasi Hills, Lulu Lyngdoh said that the PM CARES scheme for children is meant for the ones who have lost their parents to COVID-19. He said that the District Child Protection Officer, along with the health department, helped in identifying the children.

The District Child Protection Officer, Jowai also informed that the two children hailed from West Jaintia Hills District and they, along with their guardians and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jowai, R.D Kynjing, District Child Protection Officer, District Child Protection Unit, Jowai joined the event virtually.

Releasing the benefits under the scheme, the Prime Minister empathised with the difficulties in the lives of those children who lost their loved ones due to Corona. “Every day’s struggle, every day’s challenges. It is difficult to put into words the pain of the children who are with us today, for whom this program is happening,” a moved Prime Minister told the children. He also told them that he is speaking as a member of the family, not as a Prime Minister.

In such a scenario, the Prime Minister said “PM CARES for Children is a small effort to reduce the difficulties of such corona affected children who lost both their mother and father. PM CARES for children is also a reflection of the fact that every countryman is with you with the utmost sensitivity.”

The Prime Minister informed that if someone needs an education loan for professional courses or higher education, then PM-CARES will help in that too.

For other daily needs, arrangements have also been made for Rs. 4,000 every month for them through other schemes. Apart from Rs 10 lakh on attaining the age of 23 years, the children will be given health coverage through the Ayushman Card and emotional counseling through SAMVAD helpline for psychological and emotional help.