New Delhi, 16 December 2025:
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday interacted with children registered under the PM CARES for Children Scheme at the Delhi Secretariat, emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing supportive, protective, and sensitive care for children who lost their parents, legal guardians, or adoptive parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the session, the Chief Minister engaged warmly with the children, inquiring about their education, health, housing, and emotional well-being. She assured them of all possible assistance and underlined that the Delhi government views these children not merely as beneficiaries of a scheme, but as members of its extended family.
As a gesture of affection, CM Rekha Gupta distributed chocolates to the children and introduced each of them to their respective District Magistrates, reinforcing the message that the administration stands with them at every level. The programme was attended by Divisional Commissioner Neeraj Semwal, Secretary of Women & Child Development Rashmi Singh, Director Mitali Namchoom, and all district magistrates along with other dignitaries.
Reaffirming the Delhi government’s commitment, the Chief Minister emphasized that the objective of the PM CARES for Children Scheme extends beyond immediate relief. “Our focus is on guiding these children towards a safe, dignified, and self-reliant future,” she said.
She highlighted that the scheme is being effectively implemented across Delhi, with District Magistrates appointed as nodal officers to act as guardians, ensuring continuous monitoring, care, and coordination. Children were provided with the mobile numbers of the District Magistrates to ensure they can reach out whenever needed.
About PM CARES for Children Scheme
The PM CARES for Children Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 May 2021 to support children who lost their parents, legal guardians, or adoptive parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020.
The scheme aims to ensure comprehensive care and protection, promote holistic development through access to education and healthcare, and enable children to achieve financial independence by the age of 23. Under the scheme, children are provided with financial assistance, healthcare facilities, educational support, and housing benefits. Beyond immediate protection, the programme is designed to lay a strong foundation for the long-term development and self-reliance of these children.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reiterated that the Delhi government remains fully committed to ensuring that all provisions of the scheme are effectively implemented, and that every effort is being made to secure the safety, well-being, and future prospects of the children under its care.
This engagement underscores the government’s ongoing focus on holistic child welfare, emphasizing not just support during crises, but sustained guidance for the long-term growth and empowerment of children affected by the pandemic.
