Delhi: CM Arvind Kejriwal announces free education for children orphaned by pandemic

The Chief Minister announced that children who lost their parents due to the pandemic will get free education and Rs 2,500 per month till the age of 25.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced Rs 50,000 ex-gratia to families who have lost a member due to Covid-19. The Chief Minister also announced that children who lost their parents due to the pandemic will get free education and Rs 2,500 per month till the age of 25.

Mr Kejriwal announced a free ration of 10 kg to 72 lakh people of poor families this month, of which 5 kg will be provided by the ruling AAP government and the rest 5 kg as per the central government scheme. He said every month 5 kg ration is given at a subsidized rate but this month poor families will get it for free irrespective of the fact whether the family is a ration card holder or not, that is, they have a proof of low income or not.

Besides, Mr Kejriwal also announced Rs 2,500 per month for those families who lost their breadwinner due to Covid-19. "If the husband was the sole earning member, the wife will get the amount and vice versa. If the person was unmarried, parents will get it. We understand your pain. We know we cannot do anything to bring them back but we will support you financially to the best of our abilities," the Chief Minister said.

The national capital has been under a strict lockdown since April 19. The number of Covid cases have dropped in Delhi as it recorded 4,524 new cases on Monday.