Lok Sabha Question No. 3108 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar, Chandra Sekhar Bellana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3108 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH     AUGUST, 2021

## Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package

## 3108. SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR BELLANA:

## Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  introduced  an  insurance  scheme  under  'Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan Package for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  State  Governments  have  informed  the  Central  Government  that  the  processing  of  the insurance claims thereunder was getting delayed; and
- (d) if  so,  steps  being  taken  to  further  streamline  and  simplify  the  processing  of  the  insurance  claims  to avoid delays thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) & (b): 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance Scheme for Health Care Workers Fighting  COVID-19' was launched on 30.03.2020 to provide comprehensive personal accident cover of Rs. 50 Lakh to 22.12 lakh health care providers including community health workers and private health workers who may have been in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and may be at risk of being impacted by this.

Further, on account of the unprecedented situation, private hospital staff/ retired/ volunteer/ local urban  bodies/  contract/daily  wage/  ad-hoc/  outsourced  staff  requisitioned  by  states/  central hospitals/ autonomous hospitals of central/ states/ UTs, AIIMS & Institute of National Importance (INI)s/ hospitals of Central Ministries specifically drafted for care of COVID-19 patients are also covered under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19 subject to fulfilment of the laid down conditions.

The scheme is being implemented through an insurance policy from M/s New India Assurance Company Limited, a public sector insurance company under Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.

1016 claims have been settled and paid as on 04/08/2021.

## (c) & (d):

The implementation of the insurance scheme in the states/UTs is regularly reviewed in Ministry of Health & Family Welfare jointly with officers of Ministry of Finance. During these reviews it was noted that in some cases payment of claims was getting delayed on account of receipt of incomplete claim documents/delay in receipt of documents from States/UTs.

As a result, it was decided to further streamline and simplify the process of settlement of claims so as to ensure expeditious payment to the claimants. With effect from 28/05/2021 a new system of claim settlement has been implemented as per which, claim papers are now being examined by District Collectors. On the basis of certificate furnished by District Collectors and counter signed by State Nodal Officer, the insurance company is mandated to make payment to the claimants within 48 hours.