THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government issued an order unifying the criteria to grant financial assistance of Rs.10 lakh to the families of government employees who pass away while being in service.

Five lakh rupees will be given to those who are permanently disabled due to accidents, four lakh rupees to those who have more than 60 per cent disability and two and a half lakh rupees to those who have 40-60 per cent disability. The benefit will also apply to those who are not members of the insurance scheme.

The new order will consider only natural and accidental deaths of employees. The head of the department should check the documents and facts of the deceased employee and submit a recommendation to the government. If the deceased employee is a beneficiary under a disaster relief fund or any other government scheme, the financial assistance will be reduced. An amount of 30 per cent will be allowed as emergency assistance to the heirs.

Gratuity as the post-death benefit is now considered only for the total service period. This has been changed to a retirement benefit. The certificate about the heirs should be distributed by the Tahsildar.

For a person with 60 per cent disability, the entire amount will be provided as a subsidy for treatment in government hospitals but only 90 per cent will be paid for treatment in private hospitals.