The Covid-19 pandemic left many kids orphaned after both parents succumbed to the virus. These children are left alone in extremely vulnerable conditions without parental care. In a laudable gesture, the officials of the Nashik district administration have voluntarily taken the responsibility of 56 such kids.
In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, District Magistrate, Nashik, Suraj Mandhare, IAS, spoke about the initiatives taken up by him and his team to help Covid orphans.
TAKING RESPONSBILTY
DM Mandhare said that the worsts sufferers of the Covid pandemic since last two years are the kids who lost both their parents. Very often the responsibility of their care fall on relatives who are not able to raise the kids. There are various government schemes for such orphans, but lack of awareness and the lack of knowhow are the reasons they are not availed.
“There are many government schemes which can be used properly and there has to be someone responsible who understands the government processes, who can guide them properly. So, we thought that we will take the responsibility voluntarily,” the DM said.
He also said that they almost 50 officers of the district decided to go beyond the call of duty and help the orphans.
FOUR VERTICALS
The nature of this parenting is taking place in 4 verticals. They are:
- First vertical is about providing all government aid to these kids. There are number of government packages like 5 lac rupees from the state government, 10 lac rupees from PM CARE, 1100 for maintenance per month, few concessions as well in fees, medical treatment, etc. Help will be provided to complete the government paperwork and it will be ensured that within one month all the dues get handed over.
- To take action to ensure that their deceased parents’ insurance policy, pension, income or investment etc. will be properly handed over to these children. To see that the banks/institutions will also consider waiving loans sympathetically or take a lenient stance on recovery, if they have any loan in the name of their parents.
- It is also important to increase the capacity of the relatives who are caring for these children. To extend to them the benefit of all the schemes for which they are eligible as a family or person, 40 different schemes have been shortlisted.
- To coordinate with other sections of the society who are ready to help these children and to deliver the help properly. These children are at different stages of age so their needs are also different. (E.g. Medical Assistance, Educational Assistance, Job Assistance, etc.)
“Our main focus of the parenting will be on the above 4 factors. However, in addition, officers are at liberty to take whatever measures they deem appropriate, depending on the circumstances of the child,” the officer told Indian Masterminds.
POSITIVE RESPONSE
So far, the Nashik district administration has taken the responsibility of 56 kids and 40 families. The responsibility has been assigned to 40 officers. However, when the list was announced, 2-3 officer were left out. “The moment we announced the list, the left-out officers asked me why they were left out, saying they also want to contribute and be a part of this mission,” the officer shared.
Immediately after the announcement of the list, the officers took charge and paid a visit to the kids’ houses. They snapped photographs and shared details with the DM about the four verticals and how they are working on them.
“Kids and their caretakers are also very happy that they are getting such help from the government, and somebody is there to help them out,” DM Mandhare said.
NOT A GOVT SCHEME
The officer however pointed out that it’s a voluntary act and not a time bound government scheme that has to end at some point. “We are going to take responsibility of these kids till they are independent. On the other hand, if we get mentally and emotionally attached to them, we are going to be their mentors for 50 years and so,” Mr. Mandhare said.
