The next of kin of the school principal, who died after a heart attack while on poll duty in Thane on Thursday, are eligible to receive compensation of Rs10 lakh, according to the revised rules issued by the election commission on Friday.
The rules, which were revised in March, doubled the ex-gratia payment to families of civilian or security personnel, who may die or suffer injuries while on poll duty.
According to this, the family of poll officials who die due to natural causes would be paid a compensation of Rs10 lakh, while those killed in violent attacks would get Rs20 lakh.
The school principal, Vaishali Vithal Bhale, 37, was on duty at a polling station in Thane on April 24, when she felt giddy and was rushed to the civil hospital.
She suffered a heart attack and died within two hours of being taken to hospital. Bhale, a resident of Koparkhairane, was principal of the New Bombay City School in Navi Mumbai.
The letter on the revised rules was sent by the election commission to chief secretaries and chief electoral officers of all states and union territories on April 25.
The letter states that the applicable period for the compensation starts from the day of the announcement of the polls. A person is said to be on election duty from the moment he/she leaves the office or house on election work, till he/she returns home.
In the case of permanent disability, like loss of limbs or eyesight, the person would be entitled to a minimum ex-gratia payment of Rs5 lakh. In the case of acts by extremists, Rs10 lakh is to be given.
The letter also states that the compensation is to be paid by the state government and would be reimbursed by the Centre.
JS Saharia, chief secretary of Maharashtra, said he was not aware about the letter from the EC and he directed this correspondent to enquire with the state chief election officer (CEO). However, the CEO, Nitin Gadre, did not respond to phone calls.
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