Gandhinagar, July 22 — The Gujarat government on Wednesday distributed financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of 115 Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) employees who contracted Covid-19 while on duty during the pandemic and later died, recognising their service as frontline public transport workers.
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi handed over the cheques at a programme in Gandhinagar to the families of the deceased employees, who included drivers and conductors.
The assistance was extended after the state government decided to treat the employees as "Corona Warriors" on humanitarian grounds.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi said the decision went beyond the usual legal and administrative framework governing corporation employees.
He said that while government decisions are generally taken in accordance with established laws and regulations, extending such assistance to employees of a state corporation involved separate and complex legal and administrative considerations.
"Instead of being guided solely by rules and regulations, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel took a compassionate decision 'from the heart'. Recognising the invaluable services rendered by these employees at the risk of their own lives, the government, on humanitarian grounds, treated them as 'Corona Warriors' in this special case and approved the financial assistance," Sanghavi added.
He said that GSRTC employees continued to perform their duties throughout the Covid-19 pandemic despite the risks involved, ensuring transport services remained available when much of the population stayed indoors.
"During the difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic, when people were confined to their homes, State Transport drivers, conductors, clerks, managers and other employees continued performing their duties for the convenience of citizens without worrying about their own families. The government will always remember their invaluable sacrifice," he added.
Sanghavi added that no amount of financial assistance could compensate for the loss of a family member, but said the state government would continue to support the affected families.
"No financial assistance can replace the loss of a loved one. The State Transport family has always been, and will always remain, a part of the government's family. The government will continue to stand by these more than 115 families and support them in every possible way during difficult times," he said.
Minister of State for Transport Pravin Mali, Principal Secretary Hareet Shukla, Transport Commissioner Rajendar Kumar, senior GSRTC officials, representatives of the Transport Department and family members of the deceased employees were present at the programme.