[Prafulla Kaman]
PASIGHAT, 17 Jun: Five children with single parents have been identified in East Siang district so far. Of them, one child has lost a single parent to Covid-19.
Three out of the five children are from Ngopok village (Mebo) and one each is from Takilalung (Pasighat) and Sigar village (Mebo). Two of them are girl children.
ICDS Deputy Director Machi Gao informed that the child development project officers of the four ICDS projects in the district are conducting surveys at the ground level to identify children orphaned by Covid-19 and various other ailments and causes.
Reportedly, the ongoing survey is being hampered by the prevailing Covid-19 situation.
The government has launched a scheme to help orphaned children under the Chief Minister’s Bal Seva Scheme and other child welfare schemes launched by the women and child development ministry.
“There should be no unattended children who need care and protection as described in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015,” Gao said.
Last month, Chief Minister Pema Khandu launched the Chief Minister’s Bal Seva Scheme – a project aimed at providing support and benefits to children affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.