As many as 2,290 children in Maharashtra have lost either one or both their parents because of the coronavirus infection so far, sources said on Thursday.

While 2,183 children lost one parent, 107 others lost both parents during the pandemic, the sources in the state Women and Child Development Department said.

“The government has got custody of 10 of the 107 children as there is nobody to look after them,” a source said.

The government had set up a 10-member task force in each of the 36 districts in the state to identify children who were orphaned by the pandemic. The task force will also oversee the arrangements of their shelter and supervise their adoption to ensure that there is no trafficking and exploitation.

Kerala orphan aid

The Kerala government has announced an initial lump sum of Rs 3 lakh for each child orphaned by the pandemic and a payment of Rs 2,000 a month till they reach the age of 18. The state will also bear the cost of their education up to the degree level.