IEP Chandigarh, February 5
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal, announced that financial assistance under ex-gratia will be provided to the families of polling/security personnel in case of death or permanent disability during election duty. In the unfortunate events of violent incidents, bomb blasts, terrorist attacks, or shootings leading to the death of personnel, the family will receive Rs. 30 lakh. Similarly, for other reasons causing death during duty, Rs. 15 lakh will be provided and in case of permanent disability of the employee due to attack by anti-social elements Rs. 15 lakh will be ensured. In case of loss of eyesight or limbs, a financial assistance of Rs. 7.5 lakh will be extended to the family.
Sh. Anurag Agarwal chaired a review meeting regarding the ex-gratia policy for employees engaged in election duty for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The assistance amount will be in addition to any compassion amount provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs, state government, or other employers.
Sh. Agarwal said that the responsibility of initiating the process of compassionate funds will be of the District Election Officer and Superintendent of Police and it will have to be started within 10 days from the date of the incident of death, disability etc. of the employee. The office of the Chief Electoral Officer will have to ensure disposal of the related case within 1 month.
Medical facilities along with other facilities will be ensured for the polling staff
The Chief Electoral Officer directed that all the District Election Officers should ensure facilities for health care, first-aid etc. for the polling personnel at the training centres, dispatch and receiving centres and there should also be a provision for an ambulance with doctors and para medical staff. Also, all the District Election Officers will designate a senior officer as the nodal officer for the welfare and other facilities of the employees engaged in election duty and will inform the headquarters about the same.
He informed that the election duty period will be considered from the date of the announcement of election dates to the date of the results, including both days. The Election Commission of India has issued guidelines to all Chief Electoral Officers to complete the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The challenging task involves various departments and officials working towards ensuring independent and transparent conduct of elections. According to the Commission, there are stringent activities involved during elections, which are carried out by the designated officers and employees of various departments. These personnel risk their lives with the challenging task of ensuring free and fair conduct of elections. In view of the contribution made by them, the Commission has made a provision to provide compensation to the next of kin of the deceased personnel in the form of ex-gratia amount in case of death or to provide assistance to the personnel in case of permanent disability as a result of serious injury.
Additional Chief Electoral Officer Smt. Hema Sharma, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Apurv, besides other officers were present at the review meeting.
