State govt announces Rs 5,000 relief fund for 3 years to dependents of those who died of Covid

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet has decided to provide a relief fund of Rs 5,000 in addition to the existing financial assistance to the dependents of those who died due to Covid. The money will be given as Direct Benefit Transfer every month for three years from the date of first relief. The cabinet also decided to bear the cost from the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund till the required amount is allocated in the budget. BPL families who are dependent on the deceased will get the assistance. Those getting social welfare/welfare fund/other pensions won't be ineligible.

The benefit will be given if the family has settled in the state even if the person dies inside or outside the state or outside the country. The income of the deceased will be avoided while including in the BPL category.

Dependents should be able to submit the application in a simple one-page form. The District Collector and the Revenue authorities concerned will be tasked with taking the necessary steps for this. The benefit should be paid within a maximum of 30 working days. The Village Officer should ensure that there are no government employees or income taxpayers in the dependent family. It was also decided that there should not be a situation where applicants are called to the office to decide the application.