Rudraprayag plans to insure officials on yatra duty

DEHRADUN:In a first, Rudraprayag district administration is planning a Group Accidental Insurance Scheme for officials on duty at the time of the Kedarnath yatra. The insurance cover will extend up to Rs 10 lakh, depending on the designation of the official.
The scheme could benefit about 500 people in the initial stage. Raghav Langer, district magistrate, Rudraprayag, said, “We plan to start the insurance scheme from this year.The aim is to provide surety to officials on duty so they can work without stress.”
Every year, over 2,000 officials of various government departments including police, health, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), Jal Sansthan, disaster management, state disaster relief force and district administration work in shifts along the route of the Kedarnath pilgrimage.
The DM is in talks with private insurance companies that could be roped in for the scheme.
“The amount of the insurance is yet to be decided, but it will depend on the designation of the official. A non-permanent official might get cover up to Rs 5 lakh while someone who is permanent and at senior level might get up to Rs 10 lakh.”
As staff of different departments keep rotating in a fixed period of time, the district administration is planning a scheme that will not be too confusing, with too many details, making it hard for a private player to execute.
“The details of the first lot of officials of all departments will be given to the insurance company. Thereafter, no update will be given about officials later taking charge,” the DM explained.
An attendance register at the district will keep tabs on officials posted on yatra duties. In case of a disaster or accident, if an official claims insurance, the company will verify the time during which the official served on the yatra in the attendance register maintained by the district authority. The amount will be disbursed if the data matches.