Odisha announces monthly pension for kin of Anganwadi and ASHA workers succumb during Covid duty
Representative image
BHUBANESWAR: Kin of the deceased Anganwadi and ASHA workers, who succumb to Covid-19 in the line of duty, would now receive monthly pension of Rs 7,500 and Rs 5,000 respectively from the state government. The monthly pension will be given in addition to the ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh announced by the state government earlier.
Special relief commissioner PK Jena issued an order in this regard and asked the state finance department to issue detail guidelines in consultation with the state women and child development department.
The monthly financial assistance will be given till the date the Anganwadi or ASHA worker would have attained the age of 60 years had she survived, said the order.
While announcing the decision, state health minister Naba Das said the decision to give monthly pension to the family members of the deceased Anganwadi and ASHA workers has been taken based on the suggestions of some of the Anganwadi and ASHA workers infected with Covid-19. He said chief minister Naveen Patnaik regularly speaks to the Anganwadi and ASHA workers infected with Covid-19 over phone to inquire about their wellbeing.
“The Anganwadi and ASHA workers are among the frontline workers, who worked very hard in successful management of the temporary medical camps and Covid care homes in panchayats. There is no comparison to their humanity, sacrifices and commitment. The way the Anganwadi and ASHA workers have been working during the pandemic is an inspiration for all of us,” said health minister Naba Das, while announcing the state government’s decision.
The state government’s announcement came at a time when Anganwadi workers, engaged in Covid-19 duty in the worst-affected Ganjam, succumbed to the virus. There are reports about death of Anganwadi and ASHA workers in other districts as well.
Thousands of Anganwadi and ASHA workers, with meagre monthly remuneration, are at the forefront of the healthcare system in rural areas in the fight against the pandemic. These frontline workers had played a key role in smooth management of more than 16,000 temporary medical camps used as quarantine centres for nearly 8.5 lakh returnees to the rural areas. They had also a key role in door to door screening, active surveillance, managing the Covid care homes, functioning of ward level committees and creating awareness among the rural mass.