Following an increase in the number of children orphaned by the raging COVID-19 pandemic, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Thursday that children who lose their parents or guardians to COVID will receive free education and a monthly pension of Rs 5,000. In addition, the chief minister stated that the state will provide loans to people who want to work with a government guarantee.

“We will give Rs 5000 per month pension to children who have lost their parents/guardians in this COVID pandemic. We’ll also arrange free education for these children and free ration for these families,” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

“We will grant loans to these families on govt guarantee to people who want to work,” the chief minister added.

The state health department reported 8,970 new cases of COVID-19 on May 12 and 84 fatalities, bringing the total number of infections to 7,00,202 and the death toll to 6,679, according to the news agency PTI.

Due to a steady increase in COVID-19 cases, the state government has also postponed the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams. The Madhya Pradesh Board exams for classes 10 and 12 were set to take place on April 30 and May 1.

According to an official statement released in this regard, the board is considering alternative methods for Class 10 and Class 12 exams and will announce any decision regarding the conduct of the Class 10, 12 board exams soon.