Odisha: Teachers seek insurance coverage against coronavirus
Picture used for representational purpose only
SAMBALPUR: Days after a primary schoolteacher of Deogarh district tested corona positive, the Deogarh Zilla Prathamika Sikhyaka Sangha has demanded to cover the primary teachers, who have been engaged in the battle against novel coronavirus, under the Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme of the government. The insurance scheme covers frontline corona warriors, including doctors, paramedical staff and police.
The primary teacher of Deoagarh district was tested corona positive on May 25. He was engaged in the Sodo quarantine centre of the district. The teacher is undergoing treatment at Deogarh.
Secretary of the Sangha, Sujit Kumar Patra, said, “The teachers have also been involved in the fight against the coronavirus. Many primary teachers have been working in the quarantine centres across the state. They are being exposed to the risk of being infected by the virus. Even a teacher of the Deogarh district, who was engaged at a quarantine centre of Tilebani block in the district, was tested corona positive recently.”
“The teacher got infected as he was working for the people at the quarantine centre but he is not covered under the insurance scheme. The teachers are also risking their lives but the government is yet to cover them under the insurance scheme,” he said.
Patra said the primary teachers are generally being assigned with the work to make the entry of the migrant Odias into quarantine centres. They are also doing other works at the quarantine centres. They should also be covered under the insurance scheme of the government. The government should consider the genuine demand of teachers, he said.