Odisha to administer financial support to families of Covid-19 warriors

The Odisha government have declared financial support for the spouse or the nearest family member of Covid-19 warriors who do not have eligibility for the insurance coverage given under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package declared by the Central Government on Thursday.

The Odisha government has taken the decision of providing compensation from the funds allocated under the Chief Minister’s relief fund (CMRF).

The official order released from Odisha Health and Family Welfare department stated, “In order to instil a sense of confidence and security among all the frontline workers in the battle against Covid-19, Government after careful consideration have been pleased to decide that, the claims of Covid warriors, held ineligible by Government of India and found eligible as per the Government of Odisha Guidelines will be settled out of Cheif Minister’s Relief Fund.”

According to the orders given by the state government, the Collectors of the respective districts will be assigned for settling the claims.

The order further revealed, “Since the approval of Government of India on our proposal for settlement of claims of Covid warriors are still pending, in order to avoid any double payment, the Spouse/Next of Kin of the deceased persons shall submit an undertaking to return the entire amount of settlement, if the same will be borne by Government of India in future, along with the bank account details of the claimant before the concerned Collector.”

The Administrative Departments of Odisha will be analyzing the claims and making a final call on the eligible claimants as per the guidelines of the state government.

The official statement given by the Odisha state government on Wednesday stated, “The Central government has announced Rs 50 lakh as compassionate assistance to the families of the martyred warriors. Accordingly, the state government sent the list of 60 warriors killed during the Covid management duty to the Government of India. But the Indian government has agreed to help only One martyr and state government would again draw the attention of the Central Government in this regard.”