130 govt employees lost their lives to Covid-19 in last 2 years

Most of them were Class four employees who were on ground as frontline workers and interacting with patients and the public

PUNEIn the past two years, a total of 130 government employees have lost their lives in the Pune district alone due to Covid-19. Most of them were Class four employees who were on ground as frontline workers and interacting with patients and the public.

In the past two years, a total of 130 government employees have lost their lives in the Pune district alone due to Covid-19. (In pic) A government employee is seen checking the temperature of a citizen in Pune. (HT PHOTO)

As per Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) records from the labour office, a total of 95 employees lost their lives due to Covid-19 out of which 84 were permanent staffers while 11 were contractual workers. Out of the 95 workers who lost their lives, two were Class one officers; one was Class 2; 17 were Class 3; and 75, the highest number, or 79% were Class four employees.

Shivaji Daundkar, senior civic official in charge of the civic employees, said, “As per the civic body policy, we will pay Rs50 lakh as ex-gratia to the next of kin of those who lost their lives during the pandemic and give them jobs. Out of the 95 workers who lost their lives, we have already paid ex-gratia to over 63 employees while 57 have got jobs as well. The rest are under process and only permanent staffers are eligible for remuneration.”

In addition to this, the Pune zilla parishad also reported 35 deaths among its employees. Ayush Prasad, chief executive officer, Pune ZP, said, “These 35 employees included anganwadi sevikas, water supplying employees, solid waste management workers, drivers and others who were all essential service providers who had to work during both the first and second waves of the pandemic. The officials and staff of the Pune ZP worked courageously to serve the people of Pune; going to each home to identify possible causes, providing medical services, creating awareness, ensuring that no person remained hungry, finding beds and ensuring that public services continued unabated. We salute their service to our nation and humanity. Many of our officials have lost their lives in the last two years in the line of duty. We mourn their loss and remember their sacrifice on this day. We commit ourselves to do all we can to support their families.”