Polls can be dangerous. So Chhattisgarh will provide Rs.300,000 as insurance cover in case of death to officials posted for duty during civic bodies polls this month.
The decision of the State Election Commission is intended to encourage government staff to join polling teams for civic election Dec 14, 17 and 30 and not object to their deployment in Maoist dominated areas.
Maoists, who have a strong presence in nine of the state's 16 districts, have ordered voters to stay away from all poll proceedings or face the consequences.
The Election Commission's insurance offer came after government staff reportedly expressed reluctance to join poll duty, especially in Maoist areas.
"In case of death during poll duty, staff will get Rs.300,000 in insurance, Rs.200,000 to those who lose both hands or both legs or one hand or leg with one eye," an official press release said Monday.
Rs.100,000 in insurance will be provided in case of loss of either one hand or one leg or one eye permanently.
Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. will collect claims within one month of the date of accident. The insurance amount will be paid to either spouse or son or the person mentioned as successor of the deceased in land records.
The state will hold its maiden civic bodies polls Dec 14 and 17. Elections to the Jagdalpur Municipal Corporation, the Bastar district headquarters, will be held Dec 30.
--Indo-Asian News Service