Haryana govt raises ex-gratia for those fighting coronavirus

CHANDIGARH: In its bid to motivate the medical and para-medical staff deployed in the screening and treatment of coronavirus-infected patients, the Haryana government on Thursday announced an increased ex-gratia for doctors, nurses and the associated staff.
Now, doctors will get Rs 50 lakh, nurses will get Rs 30 lakh and the associated staff will get a compensation of Rs 20 lakh in case of death after being infected with Covid-19 while treating coronavirus patients.Earlier this compensation was Rs 10 lakh for all the personnel.
The health department will pay the compensation from its budget, officials said.
Health officials said that the ex-gratia compensation will be given to both regular as well as the contractual employees. Notably, as of now, the para-medics, especially nurses and technicians, had been rueful of being forced to work in isolation wards that too without back up of risk compensation.
The move was announced by chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday afternoon. Khattar also indicated a possibility of starting the wheat and mustard procurement by April 15.
Khattar said that in case government doesn't start the procurement, the farmers will have to stock their produce in their homes and the various agencies will devise the method of procurement
"Since it is not possible to make procurement till April 14, we have made arrangements for the procurement of mustard and wheat to start on April 15 and April 20 respectively if the situation is favorable. Till then we urge the farmers to stock the grain at their homes. In case any farmer is having trouble doing the same, the marketing board has been directed to look into the matter," Khatttar said.
In a bid to cover up for the loss that the farmers will face due to delay in procurement and the lockdown, a new scheme will be announced soon by the state government, Khattar added.
New registrations start for offering grocery services
The state government has launched a new website covidssharyana.in for the registration of any shop, store owner (kiryana, vegetable, milk and chemist etcs) who desires to register to offer services by delivering items in order to help the people of the state and fight against the spread of coronavirus may register on this website. This website has been started so that people can get daily necessities on time. E-passes will be issued to those who register on this website, Khattar said.