New Delhi, 01 April (H.S.):

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has honoured the families of six government employees who lost their lives while on duty during the COVID‑19 pandemic by handing over ₹1 crore ex‑gratia cheques to each of their next of kin in a solemn ceremony at the Delhi Secretariat. The gesture, the CM said, is not merely a governmental formality but “a heartfelt expression of gratitude, empathy and honour” for the sacrifice made by these frontline workers at the height of the health crisis.

Tribute to Selfless Service

Rekha Gupta described the deceased workers as “martyred Corona warriors”, who placed their duty above safety and continued to serve the public even as the world reeled under fear and uncertainty. “When the entire world was struggling with fear and uncertainty, these brave workers put their responsibility at the forefront and served the people without regard for their own lives,” she said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that their sacrifice would never be forgotten and that these individuals are not just heroes of their own families but of the entire society. Promising continued support, she said the Delhi government would stand by these families “as if they were its own” and extend all possible assistance whenever needed.

Addressing Delays in Relief Payments

During the event, she held an empathetic dialogue with the family members, listening to the difficulties they had faced during the previous administration, including file delays and non‑timely disbursement of ex‑gratia amounts. Several families recounted that they had been forced to wait for long periods, often amid mounting personal and financial stress.

The Chief Minister expressed regret over such delays and assured participants that her government was now treating these cases as a top priority. Steps are being taken to ensure that no eligible family has to endure unnecessary waiting or bureaucratic hurdles in the future, and that the process for disbursing financial aid is made more transparent and time‑bound.

Who Were the Corona Warriors?

The six beneficiaries’ families were from a range of key departments, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Delhi Jal Board, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Maulana Azad Medical College. Many were paramedical staff who worked in hospitals and testing centres, often in high‑risk environments, while others belonged to departments that ensured Delhi’s basic services such as water supply, sanitation and public transport continued uninterrupted even during strict lockdowns.

The Chief Minister also presented a ₹1 crore ex‑gratia to the family of Deceased Assistant Sub‑Inspector Radhe Shyam of the Delhi Police Traffic Unit, who lost his life during duty, and extended financial assistance to the family of a deceased child in Dwarka as a sign of solidarity with grieving families across the capital.

Role of the Economic Aid and Social Welfare

Terming the financial assistance as “a small measure of support rather than full compensation”, the CM said that the emotional and social loss suffered by these families could never be fully repaired. The ex‑gratia, she added, is meant to provide some relief from day‑to‑day hardships and help stabilise their lives.

In addition, she handed over a ₹1 crore cheque under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DSIIDC) to ‘Apna Ghar Ashram’ in Budh Pur, a shelter home that provides food, shelter, medical care and dignified living conditions to destitute and vulnerable individuals.

Calling such institutions “outstanding examples of service in society”, the CM urged the city’s affluent sections to come forward and support such initiatives. “Service is not just a duty but a resolve and a feeling,” she said, reiterating the Delhi government’s commitment to reaching out to every section of society with transparency and compassion.

The ceremony was attended by Cabinet Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa and other senior officials, who joined the Chief Minister in paying tribute to the fallen Corona warriors and reaffirming the government’s steadfast support to their families.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar