COVID-19 Warrior Welfare Scheme: Positive Report Not Mandatory for Benefits

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that a positive COVID-19 test report is not mandatory to receive benefits under the Chief Minister’s COVID-19 Warrior Welfare Scheme. The court ordered the government to provide ₹50 lakh compensation within 90 days to the widow of a government employee who died during COVID duty.

High Court Overturns Rejection of Application

The state government had rejected the application of the widow, claiming the absence of a COVID-positive report. However, Justice Vishal Mishra stated that this was incorrect, citing a government circular issued on 23 April 2020, which clarified that proof of COVID infection is not required if the employee was working as a COVID warrior.

Background of the Case

The petitioner, Anju Murti Upadhyay, wife of a deceased Assistant Grade-3 employee in the Collectorate Protocol Department in Jabalpur, filed a writ petition. Her husband was assigned duty to manage buses and ambulances for migrant laborers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, he suffered a heart attack and passed away during treatment.

Government Circular Supports the Claim

The petitioner referred to the circular dated 17 April 2020 and its amendment on 23 April 2020, which clarified that COVID-positive test results are not required to claim compensation under the scheme. Based on the Collector’s recommendation, the application should have been approved.

High Court Orders Compensation

The court found the rejection of the application to be unjustified and directed the state to process the payment of ₹50 lakh within 90 days. The Chief Minister's COVID-19 Warrior Welfare Scheme entitles the dependent of a COVID warrior to this compensation in case of death during duty.