577 Children Orphaned Due To Covid Since April 1: Smriti Irani

Smriti Irani said that the government is committed to support and protect every vulnerable child who lost both parents to Covid.

As many as 577 children across the country were orphaned after their parents died to COVID-19, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said citing reports of states and union territories from April 1 till Tuesday. She also said that the government is committed to support and protect every vulnerable child who lost both parents to Covid. "GOI (government of India) is committed to support and protect every vulnerable child due to loss of both parents to Covid-19. From 1st April 2021 till 2:00 pm today, the state governments & UTs across the country have reported 577 children whose parents succumbed to Covid-19," Ms Irani said in a tweet. Asserting that these children are not abandoned and are under the watch and protection of district authorities, sources said that if such children need counselling a team at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) is ready.