PARVARISH scheme for the development of children affected/orphaned due to COVID.

1. AIM OF THE SCHEME:

To ensure holistic development of children affected/orphaned due to COVID and to provide an additional & comprehensive support for their well being.

2. CATEGORIES OF CHILDREN COVERED UNDER THE SCHEME:

1. COVID Orphaned Children or Children who have lost one parent due to COVID and the surviving parent has surrendered the child.
2. COVID Orphaned Children who are living with guardians/extended families.
3. Children who have lost one parent to COVID and are living with surviving parent/extended family.
4. COVID Positive Children.

CATEGORY I

COVID Orphaned Children or Children who have lost one parent due to COVID and the surviving parent has surrendered the child            

Eligibility Criteria:

• The scheme shall be admissible to the residents of UT Chandigarh subject to submission of Aadhar Card/Driving Licence/Voter ID/Electricity Bill etc. of parent as residence proof.
• Reason of death of both the parents shall be due to COVID which shall be established on the basis of Death Certificate or Proof of parents being COVID Positive not more than 3 months prior to his/her death.
• The child should be below 18 years of age. The age shall be established on the basis of Birth Certificate or Certificate from Head of an Educational/Technical Institution last attended.
• In case where a child does not have any valid age proof, then the age of the child will be determined as per the provisions laid under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• Children who are not residents of UT, Chandigarh shall be transferred to the parent State in accordance to Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.                

Welfare Benefits:

• Such children shall be rehabilitated in Child Care Institutions of U.T. Chandigarh with the orders of Child Welfare Committee in accordance to the provisions of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 wherein their expenses related to boarding, lodging and medical needs shall be borne by Chandigarh Administration.
• The child admitted in Child Care Institutions shall be provided with counselling/grief counselling and need based therapeutic interventions for enabling the child to overcome the trauma.
• Sincere efforts shall be made by District Child Protection Unit and Child Care Institutions to place such child under Non-Institutional Care Services such as Foster Care and Child Adoption ensuring family based care.

 Financial Benefits:

• A Fixed Deposit of Rs.3,00,000/- shall be made in child’s name within 60 days of admission in the Child Care Institution by the Chandigarh Child and Women Development Corporation Ltd. The amount can be withdrawn by him/her after attaining the age of 21 years.
• If such child is eventually placed under family based care through Child Adoption Program then Fixed Deposit shall not be handed to the child and shall be deposited in the bank account of the Department for protecting confidentiality of the child’s background.

                  Educational Benefits:

• The children admitted in Child Care Institutions shall be enrolled in Educational Institutions and Vocational courses at par with other children in accordance to the provisions laid under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• The Department of Social Welfare, Chandigarh will bear the expenses to meet educational and vocational needs of the child.

CATEGORY II

     COVID Orphaned Children who are living with guardians/extended families

              Eligibility Criteria:

• The scheme shall be admissible to the residents of UT Chandigarh subject to submission of Aadhar Card/Driving Licence/Voter ID/Electricity Bill etc. of parent as residence proof.

• The child should be below 18 years of age. The age shall be established on the basis of Birth Certificate or Certificate from Head of an Educational/Technical Institution last attended.
• In case where a child does not have any valid age proof, then the age of the child will be determined as per the provisions laid under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• Reason of death of both the parents shall be due to COVID which shall be established on the basis of Death Certificate or Proof of parent being COVID Positive not more than 3 months prior to his/her death.

Welfare Benefits:

• The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) shall facilitate extension of benefits of other Welfare Schemes run by various Departments of U.T, Chandigarh from time to time.
• The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) shall provide counselling/grief counselling and need based therapeutic interventions to children for enabling them to overcome the trauma.

Financial Benefits:

• Monthly Financial Support of Rs. 5,000/- in order to meet the nutritional and recreational needs of children till the age of 18 years.
• In case the child is unemployed after the age of 18 years then the Monthly Financial Assistance shall be extended till the age of 21 years on the basis of assessment done by DCPU.

Educational Benefits:

• Free Education in Government run Schools of U.T. Chandigarh.
• In cases where children are studying in Private Schools from class 1^st -8^th, then the Annual Financial Support for educational purposes shall be provided to each child as per prevailing amount reimbursed by the Department of Education per child per month under EWS quota.
• The Annual Financial Support for educational purposes shall be increased to 1.25 times of the prevailing amount reimbursed to Schools by the Department of Education per child per month under EWS Quota considering the increase in expenses and educational requirements of children studying in Private Schools from classes 9^th-12^th.
• Annual Financial Support upto Rs. 25,000/- shall be provided to young adults pursuing short term Diploma courses upto 1 year in Chandigarh or anywhere else within the country from a recognized Institute.
• An Annual Financial Support upto Rs. 50,000/- (Admission + Tuition + Examination Fee) shall be provided to young adults pursuing graduation or equivalent 3 year degree course in Chandigarh or anywhere else within the country from a recognized Institute.
• Annual Financial Support upto Rs. 1,00,000/- shall be provided to the young adults pursuing Professional degrees in Chandigarh or anywhere else within the country from a recognized Institute.

The above mentioned benefits shall be subject to the following:

• All financial assistance shall be given by DCPU subject to approval of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after assessment and recommendation made by District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
• Submission of Admission/Enrolment receipt and Fee structure of Private School/College/ University/Technical Institution.
• Regular follow-ups conducted by District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
• 75% attendance in School/College/Technical Institutions.
• Disbursement of benefits under the scheme shall be in accordance with the principle of “Best interest of the child” as per Section 3(iv) of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• The child doesn’t fail more than once in classes 9^th -12^th.
• The maximum age for availing Annual Financial Assistance under Higher Education (graduation/3year degree/Professional Degree) shall not be more than 25 years of age.
• The annual financial assistance shall be given on annual/half yearly basis as per course design.

CATEGORY III

Children who have lost one parent to COVID and are living with surviving parent/extended family

         Eligibility Criteria:

• The scheme shall be admissible to the residents of UT Chandigarh subject to submission of Aadhar Card/Driving Licence/Voter ID/Electricity Bill etc. of parent as residence proof.

• The child should be below 18 years of age. The age shall be established on the basis of Birth Certificate or Certificate from Head of an Educational/Technical Institution last attended.
• In case where a child does not have any valid age proof, then the age of the child will be determined as per the provisions laid under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015.
• Reason of death of both the parents shall be due to COVID which shall be established on the basis of Death Certificate or Proof of parent being COVID Positive not more than 3 months prior to his/her death.
• The annual family income shall be below Rs 5 lakh.

Welfare Benefits:

• The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) shall facilitate extension of benefits of other Welfare Schemes run by various Departments of U.T, Chandigarh from time to time.
• The District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) shall provide counselling/grief counselling and need based therapeutic interventions to children for enabling them to overcome the trauma.

Financial Benefits:

• Monthly Financial Support of Rs. 5,000/- in order to meet the nutritional and recreational needs of children till the age of 18 years.
• In case the child is unemployed after the age of 18 years then the Monthly Financial Assistance shall be extended till the age of 21 years on the basis of assessment done by DCPU.

Educational Benefits:

• Free Education in Government run Schools of U.T. Chandigarh.
• In cases where children are studying in Private Schools from class 1^st -8^th, then the Annual Financial Support for educational purposes shall be provided to each child as per prevailing amount reimbursed by the Department of Education per child per month under EWS quota.
• The Annual Financial Support for educational purposes shall be increased to 1.25 times of the prevailing amount reimbursed to Schools by the Department of Education per child per month under EWS Quota considering the increase in expenses and educational requirements of children studying in Private Schools from classes 9^th-12^th.
• Annual Financial Support upto Rs. 25,000/- shall be provided to young adults pursuing short term Diploma courses upto 1 year in Chandigarh or anywhere else within the country from a recognized Institute.
• An Annual Financial Support upto Rs. 50,000/- (Admission + Tuition + Examination Fee) shall be provided to young adults pursuing graduation or equivalent 3 year degree course in Chandigarh or anywhere else within the country from a recognized Institute.
• Annual Financial Support upto Rs. 1,00,000/- shall be provided to the young adults pursuing Professional degrees in Chandigarh or anywhere else within the country from a recognized Institute.

The above mentioned benefits shall be subject to the following:

• All financial assistance shall be given by DCPU subject to approval of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after assessment and recommendation made by District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
• Submission of Admission/Enrolment receipt and Fee structure of Private School/College/ University/Technical Institution.
• Regular follow-ups conducted by District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
• 75% attendance in School/College/Technical Institutions.
• Disbursement of benefits under the scheme shall be in accordance with the principle of “Best interest of the child” as per Section 3(iv) of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• The child doesn’t fail more than once in classes 9^th -12^th.
• The maximum age for availing Annual Financial Assistance under Higher Education (graduation/3year degree/Professional Degree) shall not be more than 25 years of age.
• The annual financial assistance shall be given on annual/half yearly basis as per course design.

CATEGORY IV

COVID Positive Children:

Eligibility Criteria

• The scheme shall be admissible to residents of UT Chandigarh only subject to submission of Aadhar Card/Driving Licence/voter ID/Electricity Bill etc. of parent as residence proof.
• The child should fall under the category of “Child in need of Care and Protection” in accordance with section 2(14) of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015. The District Child Protection Unit shall assess each case and seek approval from Child Welfare Committee.

• The child should be below 18 years of age. The age shall be established on the basis of Birth Certificate or Certificate from Head of an Educational/Technical Institution last attended.
• In case where a child does not have any valid age proof, then the age of the child will be determined as per the provisions laid under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

Financial Benefits:

• COVID positive children residing in community shall be provided Monthly Financial Assistance of Rs. 2,500/- for the period of 03 months in order to meet their nutritional needs.
• The financial assistance shall be given by DCPU within 10 days subject to approval of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after assessment and recommendation made by District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
• Cases prior to the notification of the scheme shall not be considered.

C.  APPLICABILITY OF THE SCHEME

• All the children covered under category I, II & III who have lost their parent(s) since 1^st March 2020 onwards, shall be eligible for financial assistance under the said Scheme.
• Children covered under category IV who have been affected by COVID after 1^st January 2021 shall be eligible for financial assistance from the date of application.

How to Apply:

Eligible families may contact District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), First Floor, Snehyalaya Building, Maloya. Phone No.: 0172-2643654

IEC of the same is annexed as Annexure ‘A’