CM Arvind Kejriwal: Rs 1 cr compensation to the families of COVID-19 warriors, posthumously

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has promised 1 cr as compensation to the families of the health care staff who will die treating COVID-19 patients.

Those serving the coronavirus patients are "no less than soldiers protecting the country", said CM Kejriwal.

“During a war, a soldier protects his country, risks his life.... our whole nation is indebted to them. Today, the job that you guys (health workers) are doing is no less than that of a soldier. You are risking your life to save people of this country," CM said.

"Delhi government had earlier announced that if any soldier dies while protecting the country, his family will be given Rs 1 crore. Today, as a mark of respect, I want to announce that if unfortunately, any health worker - a sanitation worker, doctor or nurse - is martyred while serving COVID-19 patients, their families will be given Rs 1 crore. Whether they are from private or government sector... it doesn't matter," he added.

The national capital has so far reported at least 120 cases of highly contagious COVID-19 as number of people who have contracted infection across India crossed 1,600. Frontline workers face the greatest risk of contracting the disease.

Last week, the centre had also declared a medical cover of Rs 50 crore for those in the forefront of the fight against the deadly virus. The medical insurance cover was a part of the Rs 1.75 lakh crore package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.