When faced with a pandemic like COVID-19, one has to experience an array of unfortunate outcomes no one prepares you for. As several kids lose their children to this contagious disease, so far, officials of the state women and child development (WCD) department, along with others, have identified 1,572 children who have lost either one or both parents due to the coronavirus across the state.
According to reports, until now, 98 children have lost both parents. Earlier on Tuesday, May 25, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development had informed us that 577 children across the country have been orphaned in the past 55 days by the second wave of the coronavirus. Moreover, Maharashtra’s count of 98 children so far, who have lost both parents, suggests that the number may be higher.
On the other hand, in order to take appropriate measures for the protection and upbringing of children who have lost both parents to COVID-19, the Maharashtra government had earlier decided to appoint a task force at the district level under the chairmanship of the District Collector.
Moreover, a ruling in this regard has been issued by the Department of Women and Child Development. In a review meeting held by the Supreme Court Judges' Juvenile Justice Committee on child care and protection organizations in the state in connection with the COVID-19 disease, the court directed to form a task force at the district level to look into issues related to child safety.
The task force, headed by the Collector, consists of Municipal Commissioner, Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Chairman, District Child Welfare Committee, District Surgeon, District Health Officer, District Information Officer. Meanwhile, the Child Protection Officer will act as the coordinator. The District Women and Child Development Officer are also the Member Secretary of this task force.
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