‘No file on ex gratia after govt staff’s Covid death should stay pending’

Soon after CM’s instructions, chief secretary RK Tiwari issues orders to all DMs

LUCKNOW : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday asked officials to act with promptness and sympathy in case of the death of any state government staffer after catching the Covid-19 infection on duty in any department. No file on ex gratia or other related matters should remain pending in such cases, he said.

This directive is in addition to the amendments he sought to the state election commission’s guidelines on death on duty for those poll staff who succumbed to Covid.

Soon after the chief minister’s instructions, chief secretary RK Tiwari issued orders to all the district magistrates.

“In case of death of any government employee due to Covid infection on duty in any of the departments, the department concerned must act and behave with sensitivity, promptness, and sympathy towards the kin of the deceased. No files related to ex gratia or suitable government employment to a family member who qualifies should stay pending. The chief secretary should issue appropriate orders for making the process effective,” the chief minister said at the Covid-19 review meeting.

About Covid statistics, Yogi Adityanath once again said fresh cases were falling and recoveries were rising.

“There were 3.10 lakh active cases on April 30. The state now has 1.16 lakh active cases. In 20 days, the active cases fell by 62.5%. The recovery rate is now 91.8%,” he said.

He further said April 24 recorded a single-day high of 38,055 fresh positive cases across the state while in the last 24 hours there were only 6,725 fresh cases in UP.

The state had administered 7.46 lakh vaccine doses to people in the age group of 18-44 in 23 districts so far, he said, adding that 1.56 crore doses were given to people in all eligible age groups.

The state had launched ration distribution under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna and a nodal officer should be posted for each of the ration shops to ensure that all eligible persons get their quota of ration under the scheme, he said. Apart from this, the state government has decided to give free ration for three months from June 1 to all eligible people and all preparations should be made in advance, he added.