Corona Warriors: Rs. 50 lakh compensation for these workers announced by Modi government

In a major development, Rs. 50 lakh compensation has been declared by Modi government for the Port employees/workers in case of loss of life due to COVID-19. Noteworthy, all port employees including contractual labourers employed directly by the Port and other contractual employees are covered.

According to an official statement, Ministry of Shipping has decided that all the Major Ports may grant compensation /Ex-Gratia in the event of loss of life due to COVID-19 to the dependent members/legal heirs of the port employees as under:

Category: Amount of compensation/Ex-Gratia (Rs.)

All Port employees including Contract Labourers employed directly by the port: Rs 50 Lakhs

Other Contractual Labourers: Rs 50 Lakhs

"Monetary Compensation is declared to cover the risk of life due to COVID-19 contamination while discharging the Port related duty. Port Chairman is the competent authority for the settling claims/ disbursement of the compensation/Ex-Gratia and verifying authority for the cause of death from COVID-19," Ministry of Shipping said.

Ministry of Shipping further added, "This compensation is applicable only for the pandemic of COVID-19 and shall be in force up to 30.09.2020, subject to review thereafter."

Meanwhile, the death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 934 and the number of cases climbed to 29,435 in the country on Tuesday, according to the Union Health Ministry. The number of active COVID-19 cases stood at 21,632, while 6,868 people have recovered and one patient has migrated, the ministry said.

The total number of cases include 111 foreign nationals.

A total of 48 deaths were reported since Monday evening of which 27 fatalities were reported from Maharashtra, 11 from Gujarat, five from Rajasthan, four from Madhya Pradesh and one from Jammu and Kashmir