Panaji, May 30 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Today announced compensation of Rs two lakh each for the kin of COVID-19 victims who were either breadwinners of the family or hailed from poor backgrounds.

Addressing people on the occasion of Statehood Day, the Chief Minister said Rs two lakh ex-gratia would be provide to families of economically weaker section, who have lost their earning member to COVID-19.

He said under ‘Mukhyamantri Anath Aadhar Yojana, Non Institutional Care benefit had been increased by Rs 2000 from existing Rs 2000 per month to Rs 4000 per month for orphan children.

He said immediate grant would be given to Rs 50,000 for 121 weak Panchayats for COVID and Tauktae cyclone relief work.

The Chief Minister said the age limit for orphans under institutional care would be extended from 18 years to 21 years. and free Laptop would be given to all orphan children studying in 10th std and above.

He said the second phase of Covid 19 vaccination drive for those in the 18-44 age group would begin from June 3, 2017, under which couples with children below the age of two, people with comorbidities, rickshaw-taxi drivers, seafarers and differently-abled persons would be given priority.(UNI)