India, May 11 -- Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday announced a new Aftercare Scheme for Young Persons aimed at supporting orphaned and vulnerable youth after they turn 18 and leave institutional care. The announcement was made on the occasion of Mother's Day, with the Delhi government allocating Rs 3.5 crore for the scheme in the 2026-27 financial year. Launching the initiative during her visit to the Village Cottage Home in Lajpat Nagar, the Chief Minister said the government's responsibility towards children does not end once they attain adulthood. "No child should ever feel alone. The government will continue to stand by them even after adulthood," she said. Also Read - Railways clears 2 key Delhi projects to ease congestion The scheme has been introduced under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and aims to help young adults transition into independent and dignified lives through education, skill development, counselling and employment support. According to the government, Delhi currently has 88 Child Care Institutions run by the government and NGOs, providing shelter, protection and rehabilitation to children up to the age of 18. Around 150 to 200 young people leave these institutions every year, many of whom struggle with higher education, employment, financial stability and emotional support after leaving care. Also Read - Delhi to launch five-day rescue drive for destitute persons CM Rekha Gupta said the new policy has been designed to bridge this gap. "Our effort is to ensure that no young person feels alone after leaving institutional care and that every child gets an equal opportunity to become self-reliant," she said. Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive assistance for higher education, vocational training, internships and jobs, along with monthly stipends and rehabilitation support. Individual care plans will be prepared for each beneficiary based on need assessments. The Chief Minister also announced the formation of a State Aftercare Committee headed by the Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department and District Aftercare Committees under District Magistrates for monitoring and implementation. "Mother's Day reminds us that every child deserves protection, care, guidance and the opportunity to move forward in life," the Chief Minister added.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.