INDORE: The Indore administration has handed out three times as many Covid death compensations as the official toll. The local administration has so far distributed claims in 4,387 cases --exactly three times the toll of 1,462 in the health department records. Among them are 29 orphaned children and 523 kids who lost one of their parents to the viral infection.
Asked about the mismatch in Covid death data, ADM Rajesh Rathore said: "There are some cases in which patients were treated at home and this could have led to their deaths not being reported in the government records. We are checking if the applicants fulfil all criteria for the ex gratia by furnishing all the valid information and documents."
"So far, financial assistance of Rs 50,000 has been granted in 4,387 cases of death due to Covid-19," Rathore said, adding that the administration's aim is to ensure all beneficiaries benefit from the scheme.
Indore is the worst hit district in MP, accounting for 208,000 Covid cases (20% of MP's tally) and the highest number of deaths (nearly 14% of MP's toll of 10,736). Going by the approved Covid compensation claims, the actual toll was much higher.
'29 Covid orphans given benefits of PM Cares Fund'
As per health department's records, Indore's first Covid case was reported on March 24, 2020. It was hit the hardest in the three waves. Going by the official toll, the total compensation should have been Rs 7.31 crore (at Rs 50,000 each). But the Indore administration has so far distributed compensation of Rs 21.93 crore to the next of kin of Covid victims. Officials verified positive RT-PCR reports, death certificates and Aadhaar cards of the victims before approving these claims.
The 552 children who lost one or both parents in Indore to Covid are receiving benefits of central and state government schemes, said Ramniwas Budholiya, district programme officer of the women and child development department.
The 29 Covid orphans have been provided benefits of PM Cares Fund. "All the children with single parents have been provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000, plus Rs 2,000 monthly pension and other assistance," Budholiya said.
