To help the people alleviate the distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union government recently announced the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). The ₹1.7 lakh crore relief package for COVID-19 was announced on March 26 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The cost of the COVID-19 lockdown in India is pegged at nearly ₹9 lakh crore.

finance minister announces the package
finance minister announces the package

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana

The scheme focuses on benefitting workers in all the sectors, primarily the health workers, senior citizens, farmers, etc. The health workers will be provided up to Rs 50 lakhs for 90 days of their service during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to this:

  • 80 crore poor people under National Food Security Act will receive five extra kg of wheat or rice and 1 kg of pulses
  • MGNREGA workers to get a wage increase from Rs 182/day to Rs 202/day
  • Senior citizens, disabled and widows to get DBT of Rs 500/month for next three months
  • Farmers get a front loading of ₹2000 under existing PM Kisan Yojana

Government issues FAQs and guidelines 

Under the package, the government has issued fresh guidelines as FAQs. The notice emphasises on accidental death on account of COVID-19 related duty.

The FAQs include:

Question 1: What does this Scheme cover?

This accident insurance scheme covers;

  •  Loss of life due to COVID19, and
  •  Accidental death on account of COVID-19 related duty.

Question 2: What is the definition of Accident?

An accident is sudden, unforeseen and involuntary event caused by external, visible and violent means.

Question 3: Who all are covered under the scheme?

  • Public healthcare providers including community health workers, who may have to be in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and who may be at risk of being impacted by this.
  • Private hospital staff and retired /volunteer /local urban bodies/ contracted /daily wage /ad-hoc/outsourced staff requisitioned by States/ Central hospitals/ autonomous hospitals of Central/ States/UTs, AIIMS and INIs/ hospital of Central Ministries can also be drafted for COVID 19 related responsibilities.

Question 4: Who can be a volunteer under this scheme?

Volunteers are those who are drafted by the Government Official authorized by Central/State/ UT Government for care and may have come in direct contact of the COVID-19 patient.

Question 5: Who are 'Private persons' under this scheme? 

Private persons are those who are engaged by both public & private health care institutions/organization through an agency and were deployed /drafted for care and may have come in direct contact of the COVID-19 patient (with the proof that the service of the agencies were engaged by the institution/organization).

Question 6: When does insurance coverage policy begins and ends?

The duration of the policy is for a period of 90 days, starting from March 30, 2020.

Question 7: Is there any age-limit for health workers under this scheme? 

There's no age limit for this scheme.

Question 8: Is individual enrolment required? 

Individual enrolment is not required. 

Question 9: Whether an individual is required to pay any premium to be eligible under the scheme? 

The entire amount of premium for this scheme is being borne by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Question 10: What is the benefit available to the insured persons? 

INR 50 LAKHS will be paid to the claimant of the insured person.

Question 11: Is COVID-19 laboratory test mandatory for claiming the benefit? 

Laboratory report certifying positive medical test is required for loss of life on account of COVID-19. However, it is not required in case of Accidental loss of life on account of COVID-19 related duty.

Question 12: Whether expenses incurred on treatment or during quarantine are covered under the scheme?

Any type of expenses related to treatment or quarantine is not covered.

Question 13: If a person is having another Personal accident policy or life insurance policy, what is the effect of the same on claim under this policy?

The benefit/claim under this policy is in addition to the amount payable under any other policies.

Question 14: Documents required to claim benefits under this scheme? 

a. In case of Loss of life due to COVID19 following documents are required:

  1.  Claim form duly filled and signed by the nominee/claimant. 
  2. Identity proof of Deceased (Certified copy)
  3. Identity proof of the Claimant (Certified copy) 
  4. Proof of relationship between the Deceased and the Claimant (Certified copy) 
  5. Laboratory Report certifying having tested Positive for COVID-19 (in Original or Certified copy) 
  6. Death summary by the Hospital where death occurred (in case death occurred in hospital) (Certified copy). 
  7. Death Certificate (in Original) 
  8. Certificate by the Healthcare Institution/ organization/ office that the deceased was an employee of /engaged by the institution and was deployed/drafted for care and may have come in direct contact of the COVID-19 patient. For community health care workers, the Certificate should be from Medical Officer of Primary Health Centre (PHC) that ASHA/ASHA Facilitator was drafted for work related to COVID-19.

b. In case of accidental loss of life on account of COVID-19 related duty following documents are required:

  1. Claim form duly filled and signed by the nominee/claimant. 
  2. Identity proof of Deceased (Certified copy) 
  3. Identity proof of the Claimant (Certified copy) 
  4. Proof of relationship between the Deceased and the Claimant (Certified copy) 
  5. Death summary by the Hospital where death occurred (in case death occurred in hospital) (Certified copy). 
  6. Death Certificate (in Original) 
  7. Post-mortem Report (Certified copy) 
  8. Cancelled Cheque (desirable) (in Original)
  9. FIR (Certified copy) 
  10.  Certificate by the Healthcare Institution/ organization/ office that the deceased was an employee of /engaged by the institution and had an accidental loss of life on account of COVID-19 related duty.

Question 15: Whom to contact in case of any claim?

The institution/department the insured person was working for has to be informed. Insurance company also be intimated at email id nia.312000@newindia.co.in

Question 16: What is the process of submission of claim?

  • The claimant needs to fill up claim form along with necessary documents as prescribed and submit the same to Healthcare Institution/ organization/ office where the deceased was an employee of /engaged by the institution.
  • The respective institution will give necessary certification and forward it to competent authority.
  1. Competent authority for State/UT is Director General Health Services /Director Health Services/ Director Medical Education or any other Official specifically authorised by the State/UT Government for this purpose.
  2. Competent authority for Central Government, Central Autonomous / PSU Hospitals, AIIMS, INIs and Hospitals of other Central Ministries is Director or Medical Superintendent or Head of the concerned institution.
  • Competent authority will forward and submit claim to the insurance company for approval.

Question 17: Whom to contact from insurance company?

Divisional office CDU 312000 of The New India Assurance Co.Ltd. located at B-401, Ansal Chambers 1, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066.

 Contact persons:- 

  1. Mrs.Sarika Arora, Divisional Manager, email sarika.arora@newindia.co.in or nia.312000@newindia.co.in 
  2. Mr.N.Ravi Rao, Deputy Manager, email id ravin.rao@newindia.co.in or niadelbroker20@gmail.com
  3. Mr.Yogendra Singh Tanwar, Administrative Officer email id yogendra.tanwar@newindia.co.in
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