Nadeem Nabi
Srinagar, Aug 14 : The government on Friday said that an ex-gratia of Rupees 25 lakhs will be given to the Next of Kins (NOK) of those Health care workers including community health workers who may die of the deadly virus as a result of being in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this disease.
According to an order issued by Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo under number G06-JK (HME) of 2020, dated 14-08–2020, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Despatch reads that “the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has announced the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health Workers fighting COVID-19”, for providing an insurance cover of Rs.50.00 lac for Health care providers, including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this Pandemic. Also, on account of the unprecedented situation, private hospital staff/ retired volunteer/ local urban bodies/ contractual /daily wager/ ad-hoc /outsourced staff requisitioned by the State/ Central Hospitals/ autonomous hospitals of Central / States / UTS, AIIMs & INIS/ hospitals of Central Ministries are covered under the said insurance scheme.”
“Some States/ UT Governments have ordered for providing additional insurance / ex-gratia, in respect of death of health care providers due to COVID-19. The matter regarding providing of ex-gratia to the Health Care Workers, in addition to the Insurance Cover under “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package”, in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, was discussed in a meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K, on 08.08.2020,” it added.
The order further reads that a proposal was accordingly submitted that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir may also consider providing additional ex-gratia of Rs. 25.00 lac posthumously, in respect of Health care workers, which will be in addition to the insurance cover of Rs.50.00 lacs for Health care providers approved by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Gol, so that the Health care workers in UT of Jammu and Kashmir get a total amount of Rs.75.00 lac, posthumously.
“The Competent Authority (Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor) has been pleased to approve the proposal for providing additional ex-gratia of Rs.25.00 lac in case of death of Health care workers due to COVID-19,” the order reads.
“Now, therefore, it is hereby ordered that an ex-gratia of Rupees Twenty Five Lacs (Rs.25.00 lacs) only, shall be payable to the dependent members/ legal heirs of those Health care workers, including community health workers who may lose their lives as a result of being in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this disease.
The classification of Health care workers for this purpose shall be the same as provided by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India under the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health Workers fighting COVID-19”,” the order added.
It further stated that this order shall remain in force till the validity of Pradhan Mantri Garit Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme announced by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
