A meeting of the District Level Task Force (DLTF) for providing care and protection to children affected and infected by COVID-19 was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (District Magistrate, Chairman DLTF) Anantnag, Dr. Piyush Singla at DC Office here today.The meeting discussed the modalities for compiling the details of all deaths caused due to Covid-19 and identification of children affected thereof, for their immediate care and protection in light of the latest guidelines issued by the Govt.On the occasion, the DC directed DCPO, Dr. Farhat to identify all such children orphaned and also infected by Covid in a time bound manner with the spirit of leaving no eligible child behind. Dr. Singla impressed upon Chairperson Child Welfare Committee, Tawheeda Makhdoomi to immediately take steps for rehabilitation of these children which may include Adoption, Foster Care and Sponsorship etc besides preparing their Social Investigation Reports and Individual Care Plans. The DC also passed directions for formulating rosters to provide psychological and counseling support to such children through special sessions.
Dr. Farhat informed the chair that the identification process is being done on ground and 18 such children have been identified so far. It was decided that MFM Bon Dialgam will serve as Covid Care Institution for female children while a facility at Vessu shall provide such care for male children as mandated by the government guidelines. The meeting also reviewed the measures taken under recently launched Special Assistance Scheme for Covid Mortalities (SASCM/Saksham) scheme which is aimed at providing special Financial Assistance in the shape of Pension and Scholarships to those families who have lost their sole bread earners due to Covid pandemic. The DC said the Government has adopted a comprehensive approach, by creating a Special Cell in the Social Welfare Department to identify and support these families as a welfare measure.Appropriate directions were issued to the concerned for identification and enrollment of prospective beneficiaries under the scheme in strict adherence to the scheme guidelines. The meeting was also attended by SP Hq, Nikhil Borkar, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mukhtar Shah, Aamir Hassan, KAS Prob. and other concerned officers.