New Delhi: On the lines of the Central government ‘adopting’ children orphaned by Covid-19, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday announced a special scholarship scheme for students to help them tide over the Corona crisis.

The Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council headed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha approved the Special Assistance Scheme for Covid mortalities (SASCM/Saksham) for the families, who lost their sole earning member in the pandemic.

In the meeting chaired by Mr. Sinha, the decision was also taken to create a special cell in the state’s social welfare department for guiding and hand-holding the Corona victim families and help them receive benefits under government schemes.

Saksham Scheme: Scholarship transfer via DBT

Under the Saksham Scheme, special scholarships amounting to Rs 20,000-Rs 40,000 will be given to those children who lost their earning parent/ sibling/guardian to Covid-19.

Children studying in Class 12 will be entitled to get Rs 20,000 while those pursuing higher education will be paid Rs 40,000. This amount will be paid annually and will be transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

J&K, 1st UT to provide financial assistance to Covid hit families

With the launch of this initiative, Jammu and Kashmir has become the first union territory to provide relief to Covid victims and Covid-hit affected families. Days ago, the Jammu & Kashmir Administration had announced welfare measures.

The scheme also has provisions of special monthly pension of Rs 1,000 for Covid affected families.

“The spouse or eldest surviving member of -19 Covid affected families would receive a special monthly pension of Rs 1,000 through Direct bank transfer (DBT),” a govt spokesman said.
Earlier this month, the J&K administration had announced Rs 1,000 assistance to all registered construction workers, ponywalas, palkiwalas, pithuwalas for next two months.