**Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): High Court Abolishes Mandatory Covid Positive Report for Government Employees to Claim Benefits Under Mukhyamantri Covid-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojna**
The principal bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur has ruled that a mandatory Covid positive report is no longer required for government employees to claim benefits under the Mukhyamantri Covid-19 Yoddha Kalyan Yojna. The order was passed by Justice Vishal Mishra.
This landmark decision came in the case concerning the late Rajiv Upadhyay, an Assistant Grade-3 employee at the District Collectorate, Jabalpur. Rajiv’s wife, Anju Murti Upadhyay, had petitioned the High Court after authorities denied her claim for benefits on the grounds that Rajiv did not test positive for Covid-19.
Rajiv was posted in the Protocol Department and had been working tirelessly since March 20, 2020, arranging buses and ambulances for migrant labourers during the pandemic. The continuous stress and anxiety from his work led to a cardiac arrest while he was on duty. He was admitted to Disha Multi-speciality Health Care Hospital, where he ultimately passed away.
The State Government had issued a circular on April 17, 2020, to grant compensation to the families of “Corona warriors” who lost their lives serving society during the pandemic. Although the District Collector recommended Rajiv’s name for aid on July 24, 2020, his claim was rejected on October 28, 2020, with the explanation that he did not fall under Clause 4 of the scheme.
However, in a clarification issued on April 23, 2020, authorities themselves had confirmed that a positive Covid test report was not mandatory if the employee was serving as a Covid warrior.
Advocate Sanjay Verma commented on the judgment, stating, “The High Court clearly stated that a Covid positive test report is not mandatory for benefits if death occurred on duty. This judgment supports families who were denied benefits on technical grounds.”
This ruling sets a significant precedent in ensuring that government employees who sacrificed their lives while serving during the Covid-19 pandemic receive the rightful benefits, regardless of the technicality of a positive Covid test report.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-high-court-nixes-mandatory-covid-positive-report-for-yoddha-kalyan-yojna-benefits