Punjab announces ex-gratia compensation of 50 lakh to kin of coronavirus victims
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The compensation is admissible only for COVID-19 outbreak victims who lost their battle to the deadly virus while performing official duty.
The Punjab government has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 50 lakh to the kin of the deceased coronavirus victims.
The compensation will be provided only to the legal heirs of state employees who lost their lives to the coronavirus while performing official duty.
It will will remain in force from April 1, 2020, to July 31, 2020, subject to review thereafter.
The compensation was announced through a statement released by the Punjab government on Sunday.
"The ex-gratia shall be admissible only where the employee is involved directly in the state`s fight to control the spread of coronavirus -- the employees on duty at COVID hospitals/critical care centres, drivers transporting citizens of the state from other states/COVID patients/suspects etc, ration distribution, curfew/lockdown implementation," the release read.
The ex-gratia will be admissible to all employees covered under the old pension scheme and those recruited on and after January 1, 2004, and covered under the New Pension Scheme (NPS). The spokesperson said the cases of providing monetary relief to the dependants of manpower working on contract or through outsourcing, will be considered under the provisions of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
Punjab has recorded 1,762 COVID-19 cases, including 31 deaths. The state is now hoping to be able to ease some lockdown restrictions.
(With inputs from ANI)