Bengaluru: On Monday December 27, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that the children who were orphaned as a result of the Covid epidemic is government’s responsibility.
“The State Government will cover their education, books, school and college tuition. I assure victims’ families that the government will arrange for their children’s education and upkeep,” he said.
He handed out cheques to 20 people from above and below the poverty line (APL and BPL) families who had lost family members to the pandemic. In total, 1,000 such people received cheques from all Assembly constituencies. BPL card holders received a cheque for Rs. 1 lakh, while APL card holders received a cheque for Rs. 50,000.
Congress MLA Zameer Ahmed questioned the Chief Minister about why the state discriminates in distributing funds to beneficiaries whereas the Central Government does not. “The government should give APL card holders the same financial benefit,” he said.
The Chief Minister replied that he will gather information on APL card holders and speak with the health and revenue departments to determine the financial situation. “One lakh beneficiaries have been identified so far, with 30,000 receiving compensation,” he informed.
Revenue Minister R. Ashoka said that in Bengaluru, 10,000 beneficiaries were identified and given cheques.