DELHI HIGH COURT DIRECTED CENTRE TO RELEASE RS 50 LAKHS UNDER PM INSURANCE PACKAGE TO KIN OF HOSPITAL SECURITY GUARD WHO DIED ON COVID-19 DUTY

The Delhi High Court in the case Sangeeta Wahi v. Union Of InT dia observed and has directed the Union Government, Director General of Health Services and Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital to release Rs.50 lakhs in favour of widow of a security guard who died on duty during COVID-19 pandemic while she being deployed in the government hospital.

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The bench headed by Justice Subramonium Prasad in the court observed and has stated that the widow in the case is entitled to the benefit of "Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance scheme for health workers fighting COVID-19 announced by the Union Government and that it cannot take a narrow and pedantic stand that the said scheme would not apply to the deceased as he was not deployed for the care of Covid-19 patients.

The court in the case stated that the scheme was actually brought out as a measure to benefit the family members of persons who became martyrs in the line of duty while protecting thousands of persons affected by Covid-19 Pandemic.

The court also stated that taking such a narrow view actually goes against the spirit of the Scheme which was meant to provide immediate relief to persons who were tackling the situation and were protecting the lives of thousands of patients.