New Delhi, December 16, 2025:
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday interacted with children registered under the PM CARES for Children Scheme, reiterating the Delhi government’s commitment to ensuring their holistic care, protection and long-term well-being. The interaction was held at the Delhi Secretariat and was aimed at providing emotional reassurance, administrative support and sensitive care to children who lost their parents, legal guardians or adoptive parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the interaction, the Chief Minister spoke to the children in a warm and empathetic manner, enquiring about their education, health, housing arrangements and emotional well-being. She assured them of all possible support from the government and underlined that the administration does not view these children merely as beneficiaries of a welfare scheme. Instead, she said, the government considers them members of its own extended family and remains committed to standing by them at every stage of their lives.
“The responsibility of the government goes beyond financial assistance. Our duty is to ensure that these children feel protected, cared for and supported as they grow,” Rekha Gupta said, adding that the focus is on building a nurturing environment that enables them to pursue their aspirations with confidence and dignity.
As a gesture of affection and reassurance, the Chief Minister distributed chocolates to the children and personally introduced each child to the respective District Magistrate. This, she said, was intended to instil confidence among the children and assure them that the administration is actively involved in their welfare at every level. District Magistrates, senior officials and other dignitaries were present during the programme.
Reiterating the Delhi government’s full commitment to the effective implementation of all provisions under the PM CARES for Children Scheme, the Chief Minister said that the objective of the government is not limited to providing immediate relief. She emphasised that the administration is focused on guiding these children towards a safe, dignified and self-reliant future through sustained care and continuous support.
Rekha Gupta informed that the PM CARES for Children Scheme is being implemented effectively across Delhi. Under the scheme, District Magistrates have been appointed as nodal officers and are acting as guardians for the children. In this role, they are responsible for ensuring continuous monitoring, coordination among departments and timely delivery of benefits related to education, health and overall welfare.
She said regular follow-ups are being conducted to ensure that no eligible child is left out and that the support provided under the scheme reaches beneficiaries without delay. The Chief Minister added that the government remains open to strengthening the support system further, wherever required, to address the evolving needs of the children.
The PM CARES for Children Scheme was launched on May 29, 2021, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for children who lost their parents, legal guardians or adoptive parents during the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. The scheme aims to provide comprehensive care and protection to affected children and promote their holistic development through access to education and healthcare.
A key objective of the scheme is to help children become financially self-reliant upon attaining the age of 23. To achieve this, the scheme provides a range of benefits, including financial assistance, healthcare support, educational facilities and housing-related aid. These measures are designed not only to address the immediate challenges faced by the children but also to lay a strong foundation for their long-term development and independence.
The Chief Minister said that compassion, accountability and continuity form the core of the Delhi government’s approach towards the implementation of the scheme. She added that every effort is being made to ensure that children covered under PM CARES for Children grow up in a safe, supportive and enabling environment, with access to opportunities that allow them to realise their full potential.
Rekha Gupta reiterated that the government remains fully committed to ensuring that no child under the scheme feels neglected or unsupported, and that the administration will continue to work closely with district authorities and other stakeholders to safeguard the interests and future of these children.
