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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Four years on, home guard's family gets Rs 25 lakh Covid relief in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Four years after a home guard died during the Covid-19 pandemic, the state govt gave Rs 25 lakh compensation to his widow. The payment was made after the family approached the Gujarat high court, questioning the grounds on which the compensation was denied. The govt had refused to pay the compensation, claiming that the RTPCR/Rapid test result did not disclose that the home guard was suffering from coronavirus. In this case, Mahendrasinh Bhati fell ill when he was deployed for duty in the Krushnanagar police station area in April 2021, during the second wave of the pandemic. His HRCT/CT scan report indicated that he contracted Covid-19, and he was admitted to the Civil Hospital. He died on April 11, 2021, after three days of treatment. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad When his family claimed compensation citing circulars issued by the state govt on March 31, 2020, and July 28, 2020, by which the govt announced Rs 25 lakh ex gratia for the govt employees who perished to Covid infection while performing their duty, the state govt rejected the family's claim. They stated that there was no RTPCR test result reflecting Bhati was suffering from Covid-19, and therefore the family was not entitled to compensation meant for the corona warrior's death. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Bhati's widow, Sneha, approached the HC through advocate Ratna Vora, demanding the compensation. She questioned the grounds on which the claim was rejected. On June 26, the district commandant of Home Guards issued a communication accepting that Bhati died due to Covid-19 while performing his duty to maintain law and order, and the compensation was paid to his family from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Following the payment, the petition became infructuous, and the HC disposed of it.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Gujarat government releases Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia after widow of Home Guard jawan who died of Covid moves HC
The state government has released Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia compensation to the widow of a Home Guard jawan, who was involved in the duty of enforcing lockdown in Ahmedabad city in 2021, and died of Covid-19, after she moved a petition before the Gujarat High Court. The woman had moved court after her representation seeking the ex-gratia amount under a policy of the state government was not considered. As the government released the compensation amount, the woman withdrew her petition before HC on July 10. According to the details available, Mahendra Singh Bhati, a resident of Krishnanagar in Naroda area of Ahmedabad, was deployed by Ahmedabad city police to enforce lockdown at various points during the Covid pandemic. The Naroda police station authorities had also issued him a certificate acknowledging that Bhati discharged duties in night shifts to enforce the lockdown. The last day he discharged duties was on April 6, 2021. The next day, as his condition deteriorated, Bhati underwent an RTPCR test and was diagnosed with Covid-19. Later, he was transferred to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital where he died in the course of his treatment on April 11, 2021. Subsequently, Bhati's wife Sneha approached the state authorities seeking compensation as per the policy of the Gujarat government mentioned in a government resolution dated March 31, 2020 whereby employees, including Home Guards, if expire of Covid-19 while contracting the infection during discharge of duty then their legal heirs would be entitled to ex gratia benefit of Rs 25 lakhs. When she did not get the compensation, Sneha made a formal representation on September 20, 2023. However, after not getting any response from the state authorities, she moved a petition before HC through advocate Ratna Vora. Among other things, Sneha had also stated that her husband was the sole bread earner of the family and that she has children pursuing education. Following the petition, HC had issued notices to the state authorities, ordering them to take an appropriate decision on Sneha's representation. In April 2025, the Home department of Gujarat government paid the financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to Sneha. Speaking with The Indian Express, Sneha's counsel Vora said, 'Following our petition, the state government has paid the compensation amount to the widow of the Home Guard. So, we withdrew the petition last week.' With this, the petition was disposed of by the HC.
Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Karnataka High Court orders BBMP to pay Rs 10-crore dues for pandemic medical services
The Karnataka High Court has in two separate matters directed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to pay over Rs 10 crore to two medical establishments for services during the pandemic. The matters were heard by a bench of Justice S R Krishna Kumar, with the final order being delivered on June 2 and made publicly available this week. Vijayalakshmi Diagnostics Private Limited approached the court for the recovery of Rs 5.8-crore dues from the BBMP, to which the company supplied RT-PCR testing services in 2020-2022. The court observed that the facts were similar to another case, already decided, involving BGS Global Institute of Medical Science, where dues of Rs 4.5 crore were payable for providing 24 x 7 RT-PCR services. The BBMP argued that the Covid inquiry commission–set up to examine irregularities in the pandemic management–had rejected the company's request to pay the bills. BGS Global Institute, however, contended that their services and the payment were not part of the subject matter of the inquiry, led by retired judge Michael Cunha. The court observed, 'It is an undisputed fact that the claim of the petitioner…is towards non-payment of dues in relation to RTPCR tests conducted by the petitioner, which are clearly not the subject matter of the enquiry before the Covid Enquiry Commission. Under these circumstances, I am of the view that no reliance can be placed upon the said order dated 27.10.2023 passed by the Covid Enquiry Commission by the BBMP in order to avoid its undisputed liability to pay the pending dues in favour of the petitioner, who would be entitled to recover the same from respondent No.2-BBMP.' The court said the mere pendency of the inquiry could not be a basis to withhold undisputed dues and directed the payments to be made along with interest calculated at 6 per cent per annum.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Labs, private hospitals told to conduct Covid-19 testing per govt. protocols if prescribed by doctors
On the back of a slight surge in Covid-19 RTPCR-positive cases reported across the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Wednesday issued orders to all private hospitals and laboratories to strictly adhere to the central government's guidelines on Covid-19 testing. The PMC health department issued a letter raising concerns over an alleged rise in unnecessary Covid screening carried out by private doctors and labs in the city. According to civic officials, this unjustified testing is leading to panic among the public besides adding to treatment costs. 'RTPCR tests are being conducted without doctors' prescriptions, which violates testing protocols issued by the state health department. As per current government guidelines, RTPCR testing is mandatory only for all SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) and 5% ILI (Influenza-like Illness) cases. Healthcare providers advise testing only after a proper medical assessment and in accordance with the protocols,' read the letter issued by the PMC, a copy of which has been seen by Hindustan Times. Dr Nina Borade, PMC health chief said, 'We have attached the official government advisory with the letter and asked all private hospitals and laboratories to strictly implement instructions to ensure targeted and appropriate Covid-19 testing, avoid unnecessary panic, and make efficient use of healthcare resources.' Dr Borade informed that a meeting was held with private laboratories on Tuesday during which the latter were told to strictly follow government guidelines during testing. 'The labs have been asked to carry out testing only as per government protocols and if prescribed by doctors,' she said. Civic officials said that during the review meeting, it was found that Covid RTPCR tests are being carried out in many cases even when it is not necessary as per government protocols like those with mild symptoms such as cold, cough and fever; those returning from travel; employees resuming duty after extended leave; preoperative patients; and those requesting testing without valid medical advice. Meanwhile, genome sequencing reports from B J Medical College have confirmed the presence of the XFG variant in the city. Health officials clarified that this new variant appears to be mild in nature however they emphasised the need to closely monitor patients with comorbidities and those showing SARI symptoms.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh reports 19 new COVID cases in a day
Andhra Pradesh reported 19 new COVID cases in the past 24 hours ending 8 p.m. on Thursday, according to the information on the COVID-19 dashboard of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This is the biggest 24-hour jump in the State since the first case was reported from Visakhapatnam on May 20. Four people are reported to have recovered during this period. The active caseload in the State now stands at 50. The country reported 564 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, taking the total tally to 4,866. Meanwhile, there was no response from the Health Department officials regarding the number of tests being done and the preparedness. A 14-year-old girl tested positive for COVID-19 in the neurosurgery ward of King George Hospital (KGH). She was admitted to the ward for treatment of a brain tumour. 'Usually, we conduct all tests before performing any surgery. She tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid test kit. She was shifted to the isolation ward. The sample collected from her has been sent to the RTPCR lab for confirmation,' KGH Superintendent Dr. P. Sivananda told The Hindu on Thursday. He said that the girl was doing fine and there was no cause for worry. The isolation ward has 20 beds, and the bed strength can be increased if needed. The required drugs and kits are available. There is no cause for alarm,' Dr. Sivananda said. Meanwhile, a pregnant woman hailing from Paturu in Anantapur district is being treated in home isolation after she tested positive for COVID-19. According to doctors, the woman visited the Anantapur Government General Hospital with symptoms of fever, cold and cough. A rapid antigen test confirmed her positive for COVID-19. Though she was advised to admit herself to the isolation ward at the hospital, the woman preferred treatment in home isolation. She was given the necessary medicines and face masks. Officials said the family members of the woman would undergo COVID-19 test, adding that the health condition of the woman would be monitored. Meanwhile, Anantapur Urban MLA Daggubati Venkateswara Prasad asked the District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) Dr E.B. Devi, Municipal Commissioner Balaswamy and the GGH officials to create awareness about the measures to be taken to curb the spread of VOID-19. He wanted the officials to maintain sanitation in the city.
