Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 12: The state high court, on Tuesday August 11, directed the state government to take an early decision on the issue of enhancing insurance covers of police officers, Anganwadi workers, civic workers and others who are discharging duties to stop the spread of coronavirus infection.

A division bench of the high court presided over by the Chief Justice of the high court A S Oka, passed this instruction. During the hearing, advocate appearing for the government informed the bench that the proposal to enhance insurance cover from the current Rs 30 lac to Rs 50 lac in states which do not fall under the purview of the central government's 'Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Scheme, which is an insurance scheme, is under consideration. The insurance cover in case of death of the persons connected with the corona control work which stands at Rs 30 lac currently is proposed to be enhanced to Rs 50 lac. This amount is playable in case death occurs during COVID-19 duty.

Karnataka high court

The advocate also said that in addition to the above, Anganwadi workers, assistants, police officers and other staff, home guards, civil police, firemen, officers, prison staff, civic workers, sanitation workers, drivers and loaders of the vehicles connected therein would also be covered under the scheme. The bench, noticing these details, adjourned hearing in the case after ordering the government to take decision in the matter quickly.

Advocate for the government informed the high court that Rs 10,000 each is being paid as PPE COVID risk allowance to D group employees working in COVID health centre hospitals and Covid care centres. The bench objected to it, and pointed out that civic workers who collect bio and other waste from containment ones are facing danger. It said that it is not proper to discriminate between the civic workers and others when paying risk allowance, and asked the government to review this decision.