With COVID-19 being declared a global pandemic and a notified disaster, wherein States are provided assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) by the Centre, KHNAM State Youth Wing has sought clarification on the items and norms of assistance under the fund.
Youth wing, president Thomas Passah stated that as per the Centre’s order, ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh would be given to the families of the deceased COVID-19 patient through the fund. However, he said there are families who have not been paid accordingly nor are aware of the authorised payment due to them.
Informing that as per the GoI letter “Cost of hospitalisation of COVID-19 patient from the SDRF has also been authorised at the rate fixed by the State Government, he however, said that it is reported that the COVID-19 patient have been bearing their own cost of hospitalisation.
“We would request for the list of beneficiaries who have been compensated for hospitalisation from the SDRF with effect from 14th March 2020. We would also request for information on the rate fixed by the State Government to compensate the cost of hospitalisation of COVID-19 patient,” Passah said.
He also said that, expenditure incurred for procurement of essential equipment/labs for response to COVID-19 is to be incurred from SDRF only, which includes cost of personal protection equipment’s for healthcare etc.
He however, said that it is reported that all the expenditure for personal protection equipment’s were also incurred by the patients.
