Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday launched CM CAREs (Comfort, Assist, Respect, Empowerment) scheme to financially help senior citizens, single mothers and people with disabilities.
The CM CAREs has been launched ahead of the crucial state assembly election, which is scheduled to be held in February next year.
“We realised that there has to be a mission approach to protect, support and provide the necessary care and nutrition to children and mothers to reduce the malnutrition and maternal mortality rate in our children and mothers,” Sangma said after launching the project.
Describing Anganwadi workers along with village health functionaries and village organizations as “agents of social change”, the Chief Minister also informed that all anganwadi centers will be transformed into Early Childhood Development Centres with better structures, infrastructures and methodology involving parents by giving them training and necessary support.
Through CM CAREs, the financial benefit of erstwhile Chief Minister’s Social Assistance Scheme has been increased from Rs. 500 to Rs. 750 per month with effect from October 2022.
Altogether 65,777 senior citizens, 36,222 single mothers and 14,227 PWDs are the present beneficiaries of CM CAREs in Meghalaya.
The CM Care scheme provides social security through financial assistance to senior citizens, single mothers belonging to households with incomes less than ₹36,000 annually.
