Aurangabad, May 23:
During the last year of lockdown, 37 school children died due to various reasons. The highest number of 19 students drowned, 4 died in road accidents, 4 in electric shocks, 3 students died due to falling in wells, 3 succumbed to snake bites and 6 in other causes, the education department said. Out of these 35 students were found eligible for ‘Rajeev Gandhi Vidyarthi Apghat Sanugrah Anudan Yojna’. Under this scheme, families of students who lose their lives in an accident get financial benefit.
In case of accidental death of a student in class I to XII, the family of the student is given a sum of Rs 75,000 under the scheme. If two organs fail in an accident, Rs 50,000, if one organ fails, Rs 30,000 is given to the students. During the last one year, 38 students died in accidents and proposals for grants were submitted to the committee under the chairmanship of the district collector. Out of them, 1 death was due to pneumonia and 2 were found to have errors in the proposal and they were asked to complete the documents at the next committee meeting. The committee found 35 proposals eligible for assistance. Out of them, 22 people were given grants of Rs 75,000 each totaling to Rs 16.50 lakh. The education department demanded Rs 9.75 lakh from the government to help 13 students. The grant will be distributed as soon as it is received, said education officer Surajprasad Jaiswal.
19 students drown
In the proposal eligible for the grant, 19 students drowned and 3 fell into wells and died. The number of accidents is alarming and the number of students swimming in closed mines, rivers and wells is high. There is a need for attention from parents as well as villagers to reduce these accidents.