Centre extends PMGKP insurance scheme for healthcare workers

PUDUCHERRY: The central government has conceded to the appeals of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Villupuram MP D Ravikumar and others and extended the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) insurance scheme to provide compensation up to Rs 50 lakh to the families of healthcare workers who die while on duty in the fight against Covid-19.

The Union health ministry on Monday requested New India Assurance Company Limited (NIACL) to resume the PMGKP scheme with 'immediate effect; i.e., from today' (April 20).

Health and family welfare services deputy secretary S Nayak sent a letter to NIACL deputy general manager Jitender Mehndiratta in this regard.

He said the ministry would release the funds as soon as possible.

The scheme, which was introduced by the Union government in March last year, lapsed on March 24 this year. The Centre earlier decided not to extend the scheme but introduce a ‘new dispensation to cover Covid-19 warriors’. However, the IMA and Villupuram MP appealed to the Centre to reconsider its decision and extend the PMGKP scheme.