Rourkela: The delay in the release of financial assistance under ‘Ashirbad’ scheme to children who lost both parents or the primary breadwinner during the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a political confrontation between the ruling BJP and Opposition BJD on Thursday.A day after a TOI report, ‘No aid for more than 50,000 Covid orphans since March’, highlighted that beneficiaries across the state have not received assistance under the scheme for the past four months, the two parties indulged in a blame game.Launched in 2021, the ‘Ashirbad: Scheme for Specially Cared Children’ provides financial support to children affected by the pandemic. Children who lost both parents are entitled to Rs 2,500 per month, while those who lost the family’s sole breadwinner receive Rs 1,500 per month until they attain 18 years of age. Orphans residing in childcare institutions are eligible for a recurring deposit of Rs 1,000 per month until they turn 18.The BJD accused the state govt of failing to support the vulnerable children, and demanded immediate release of the pending assistance. “More than 50,000 children who were orphaned during the Covid-19 pandemic have not received financial assistance since March. The govt has not only failed to provide pensions to the elderly, persons with disabilities and widows, but has also inhumanely failed to provide monthly assistance to orphaned children,” the party said.The BJP, however, rejected the allegations, asserting that since coming to power two years ago, their govt had continued the assistance under the scheme. State BJP spokesperson Dhiren Senapati termed the BJD’s claims “completely untrue”. “Our govt has been continuously releasing the assistance under the ‘Ashirbad’ scheme after coming to power in the state,” Senapati said, adding the current issue will be resolved very soon, and beneficiaries will receive the financial assistance.BJD media coordinator and spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the ‘Ashirbad’ scheme, launched by former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, ensured monthly financial assistance to children who lost parents to Covid-19.The opposition party also claimed that district child protection officers, who play a key role in implementing the scheme, were expressing helplessness because funds had not been released.
