Haryana doubles salaries of healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic
What's the story
As healthcare workers around the world are leading the fight against coronavirus from the front, they are exposed to its threat more than anyone else.
And to appreciate their work, Haryana's Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar decided to give them double the salary till the time the pandemic lasts.
He also said the state is well prepared to deal with the fatal COVID-19 disease.
Benefits
Doctors, nurses, and staff working in ambulances will be covered
Khattar, who returned to the most important seat in Haryana last year, made the announcement on Thursday, highlighting that it will be applicable to doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and class-4 employees working in hospitals. Staff working in ambulances and testing centers will also be included.
"We have taken this decision after deliberations with the state health minister Anil Vij," the BJP leader said.
What he said
Keep spirits up, Khattar advised the citizens
Khattar said just like soldiers, doctors are also risking their lives to save humanity.
But he said it was important to keep spirits high and not fear the virus.
"We have to work as a team, not only health officials but those from police, food, and supplies, panchayati raj department, volunteers, all are together in this fight," he said.
Quote
State will make all arrangements for treatment of patients: Khattar
"All the arrangements for the treatment of corona patients such as masks, PPE kits, medicines, ventilators, etc. will be made by the State government for medical colleges whether they are under Central or State government, private or government-aided," the statement from his office read.
Details
Earlier, Khattar had announced an insurance cover
Before this, Khattar has said doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other staff would get ex-gratia benefits of Rs. 50 lakh, Rs. 30 lakh, Rs. 20 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh, respectively, in case they are not covered by the new insurance scheme announced by the Centre.
Meanwhile, Vij said, "Our corona warriors are fighting this battle with full might. We will win this battle."
Credit
Soon, Congress said they had suggested the idea
The move, meant to motivate health workers, quickly took a political tone when Congress said it was their idea.
Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, "Dear KhattarJi, Deeply grateful for accepting Congress demand of doubling the pay of Doctors/Health Workers treating #Covid_19 patients. I again request you to extend the benefit to all Doctors/Health Workers. In the absence of PPE's/Masks, all of them are susceptible to COVID. (sic)"
Twitter Post
Surjewala said the benefits must be extended to cops too
2/2
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 9, 2020
Dear Khattarji,
Spl. category of employees serving despite threat of #Covid_19 infection are-
1. Police Officials who are on duty round the clock;
2. Safai Karamcharis serving tirelessly;
3. Elect. Drinking Water employees.
Pl give them benefit of double pay too. https://t.co/1I250ZKCCI
Data
Haryana, having 175 positive cases, wants to test more
To note, the number of cases in Haryana has reached 175 and two have died.
The state also plans to amplify testing, while giving the maximum attention to hotspots.
Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajeev Arora said, "Our number today (Thursday) is around 3,000 samples, we shall be taking it up to around 7,000-7,500 in the next five-six days."