93 given financial aid under sponsorship, foster care scheme

As many as 93 beneficiaries were given financial aid under the Sponsorship and Foster Care scheme here.

Under the sponsorship programme, children belonging to widowed, divorced, single mothers, and orphans, disabled and others experiencing vulnerable situations were given Rs 4,000 per month until the age of 18. The aid aims to help them grow in their families while continuing their education.

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said the scheme was part of the Mission Vatsalya programme, aimed at implementing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, to ensure proper care, protection, development, treatment and social rehabilitation of children living in difficult conditions, as well as children’s interests.

She said the scheme was being implemented under the Aadhaar card-based direct benefit transfer (DBT) system, ensuring direct disbursement of benefits to the beneficiaries.

The children from families with an annual income of up to Rs 96,000 in urban areas and Rs 72,000 in rural areas were eligible to avail the scheme’s provisions. Those interested can get information about the scheme and eligibility criteria from the District Child Protection Unit or Child Welfare Committee of the district concerned and submit their applications accordingly.