Meghalaya Government announces Rs 50,000 Ex-Gratia to the Next Kin of COVID-19 Victims

Shillong: The Meghalaya government on Thursday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the next kin of people who died of COVID-19 in the state starting from April 1, 2021. According to the Meghalaya government data, 374 people have died due to COVID-19 infections in the state since April 1 this year.

As per the sources, the decision was taken during a review meeting of the COVID-19 situation in the state.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, and other government officials.

CM Sangma tweeted, "Government has also decided that an ex gratia of ₹ 50,000 will be provided to the next of kin of #Covid deceased from 1st April 2021."

He also said that the government has also decided to give add-on packages to the existing COVID-19 treatment packages of Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS). "Government has decided to give add on packages to the existing #COVID Treatment Packages of MHIS. For ICU with vent ₹4900/- per day package, an add on package of ARDS for Rs 60000/- will be added for patient suffering from multiple complications," Sangma tweeted.

Similarly, Tynsong said, "We have decided to increase the coverage from Rs 4,900 up to Rs 60,000." He said that the decision was taken on the basis of immediate relief to be extended to the concerned beneficiaries.

According to him, Rs 4900 is the existing rate charged to MHIS beneficiaries on being admitted in the hospital. He expressed disappointment as the enrollment under MHIS is only 58.5 percent. "Therefore, I urge to all citizens who are eligible to register themselves under this scheme so that the benefit can be extended to all of them," he said.

Meghalaya on Thursday recorded 12 deaths and over 800 new COVIDcases, with East Khasi Hills having the highest number of active cases at 4,214. With 809 new cases, the number of active cases in the state stands at 8,255. The death toll is at 524, with 428 recorded in East Khasi Hills. The new recoveries were 597 taking the total number to over 24,000. East Khasi Hills had the day's highest number of COVID-19 cases on Thursday at 419.

Also Read: 12 die; 800 new COVID-19 cases detected in Meghalaya

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