In a significant development, the State Election Commission (SEC) has revised the scale for payment of ex-gratia amount to families of those, who die or sustain injuries leading to incapacitation, whether by accident or any other means, in course of election duty.
The revised amount will also be applicable to those, who die of Covid 19 during the ensuing Panchayat Polls-2022 and thereafter, including by-elections.
As per the revised order, Rs 30 lakh will be provided as ex-gratia, if any poll personnel die of Covid during election duty. Besides, Covid affected will avail cashless medical treatment the cost of which would be borne by the Government.
However, the death certificate specifying the reason of death has to be issued by a medical officer and countersigned by the CDMO concerned certifying specifically that the death is caused due to Covid-19
Rs 30 lakh ex-gratia will also be given in case of death caused due to any violent act of extremist or anti-social elements like bomb blast and armed attacks.
Rs 15 lakh will be given in case of death arising out of and in course of election duty due to any other reasons.
The same amount will be provided as compensation in case of permanent disability (i.e loss of limb, eyesight etc) caused due to any violent act of extremist or anti-social elements.
This apart, Rs 7.50 lakh compensation will be extended to those on-duty election personnel, who will suffer permanent disability (i.e. loss of limb,
eye sight etc.), whether by accident or by any other means arising out of and in
course of election duty. A maximum of Rs 2 lakh will be given for grievous injuries and multiple fractures caused by accident or by any other means arising out of and in course of election duty leading to temporary and prolonged incapacitation, said an order issued by the SEC.
The duty period will be counted from the date and time of reporting for election duty before the Election Officer till the date he/she is relieved.