Blaming the government for its 'catastrophic mishandling' of the pandemic, Election strategist Prashant Kishor on Sunday attacked the aid announced from the PM Cares Fund by Prime Minister's Narendra Modi's Office (PMO) for children who have lost their parents to the Covid disease. Calling them mere promises, Kishore said they are announced at a time when the minors need immediate help.
Criticising the centre over the move to offer free education to these orphaned kids, he said that free education and stipend on turning 18, they will get support now but what when they become adults. He also added that the move to offer free education is already mentioned in the constitution.
"Another typical #MasterStroke by #ModiSarkar this time redefining EMPATHY and CARE for children ravaged by #Covid and its catastrophic mishandling," Kishor said in a tweet.
“Instead of receiving much-needed support NOW, the children should feel POSITIVE about a PROMISE of stipend when they turn 18. Be grateful to #PMCares for PROMISE of free education; a RIGHT guaranteed by the Constitution/RTE,” he wrote citing a press release released by PM Modi.
On Saturday, the PMO had released a few aids, saying that India will support children who have lost their parents during the pandemic. One of the assistance announced was a fixed deposit in the name of the child. "PM CARES will contribute, through a specially designed scheme, to create a corpus of ₹ 10 lakh for each child when he or she reaches 18 years of age," the release said.
"The child will also be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or a private school as a day scholar. If the child is admitted in a private school, the fees as per the RTE norms will be given from the PM CARES...will also pay for expenditure on the uniform, textbooks, and notebooks," it said.
Continuing his slander for the Centre, Kishore reminded it of the shortage of hospital beds and oxygen in April at the peak of the second wave of Covid that has brought the healthcare infrastructure at its brim.
"Thank @PMOIndia for ASSURANCE to be enrolled in Ayushman Bharat that supposedly covers healthcare needs of 50Cr Indians but only FAILED to provide bed/oxygen when needed,” he said.
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Hundreds of children have been orphaned across the country due to the pandemic, which has caused more than 3 lakh deaths till now. About 577 children have lost both their parents till last week only in the second wave. The Supreme Court a few days ago had taken notice of such children and asked state governments to take care of the financial and emotional needs of such children on an immediate basis.