J&K Govt Announces Pension, Scholarship For Families Of Covid Victims Under Saksham Scheme

Under the new scheme Saksham, the surviving spouse and one eldest surviving member of affected families will receive a special monthly pension of Rs. 1000.

Covid-19 Crisis in Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu-Kashmir: The Administrative Council (AC), which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the grant of financial relief through the Special Assistance Scheme for COVID Mortalities (SASCM/Saksham) to the families of COVID victims.

Under the new scheme Saksham, the surviving spouse and one eldest surviving member of affected families will receive a special monthly pension of Rs. 1000  through direct bank transfer (DBT), provided that they are not otherwise receiving any pension under any other scheme.

Also, special scholarships to children who lost their earning parent(s)/ sibling(s)/ guardian(s) to COVID. The special scholarship will be paid annually at the rate of Rs. 20,000 & Rs. 40,000 through DBT to children studying up to 12th standard & higher education respectively.

The Administrative Council also approved the creation of a special cell in the Social Welfare Department for handholding the families of COVID victims and facilitating the extension of benefits under different Government schemes including financial assistance for self-employment.