Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt on Wednesday distributed financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of 115 Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) employees who died after contracting Covid-19 while on duty during the pandemic.Deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi handed over the cheques at a function in Gandhinagar. The beneficiaries include the families of drivers, conductors, and other GSRTC employees who were recognized by the state as ‘Corona Warriors’ for continuing essential public transport services during the pandemic.Addressing the gathering, Sanghavi said the decision to extend the ex gratia assistance was taken by the state govt on humanitarian grounds despite legal and administrative complexities involved in extending such benefits to corporation employees. He said chief minister Bhupendra Patel approved the assistance in recognition of the employees’ service during the Covid-19 crisis.Sanghavi said GSRTC staff continued to perform their duties when much of the population remained indoors during the pandemic, and added that no financial compensation could make up for the loss suffered by their families.Minister of state for transport Pravin Mali, principal secretary Hareet Shukla, transport commissioner Rajendar Kumar, senior GSRTC officials and family members of the deceased employees were present at the programme.
