Extend Covid-19 insurance to non-medics: Chhattisgarh CM to PM Narendra Modi

Chhattisgarh CM Baghel congratulated PM Modi for bringing in the Epidemic Diseases Ordinance (Amendment), 2020, and cited that healthcare and police personnel and officers and employees of other state government-run departments must be included as intended beneficiaries of the scheme.

Updated on: May 4, 2020, 14:27:12 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to include police personnel, civic and rural body workers and officers and employees of district administrations in the Rs 50-lakh insurance coverage plan under the PM’s Garib Kalyan Yojana, which has been extended to each healthcare staff in line with a new ordinance for being in the front-line battling the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

A CRPF woman commando tells people about the importance of handwashing amid coronavirus pandemic, in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. (ANI File)

Baghel congratulated PM Modi for bringing in the Epidemic Diseases Ordinance (Amendment), 2020, and cited that healthcare and police personnel and officers and employees of other state government-run departments must be included as intended beneficiaries of the scheme.

He welcomed the Modi government’s bid to provide insurance coverage of Rs 50 lakh each to a healthcare worker but reminded the PM that the scheme needs to be inclusive.

Baghel drew the PM’s attention towards the contribution of thousands of state government employees and officers, who worked tirelessly to make the nationwide restrictions, which were initially enforced for 21 days from March 25 and then further extended for another 19 days till May 3 to contain the spread of the (Covid-19) outbreak, a success.

He raised concerns about the state government employees, who have contracted SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease, while attending to Covid-19 patients, for their exclusion from the insurance coverage plan.

The CM cited the definition of “healthcare service worker” as per the ordinance and pitched for broadening its scope to include more intended beneficiaries.

“The policemen, officers, and employees of local bodies and district administration must be included in this definition. Their tireless efforts are ensuring the containment of the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. Benefits must be extended to these people and the central government must consider them as healthcare workers with immediate effect,” he argued.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.