Bhubaneswar, Sept. 4 (UDN): The Odisha government has introduced a comprehensive accident relief package for school students, announcing an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh for cases involving accidental death or permanent disability, along with transport support for critical medical emergencies.
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The School and Mass Education Department issued the new guidelines on September 3, extending the benefits to students from Sishu Vatika to Class XII enrolled in government schools, government-aided institutions, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas (OAVs) and Odisha Model Adarsha Vidyalayas (OMAVs).
Under the revised framework, families of students who lose their lives in accidents will receive Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia assistance. The same amount will also be provided to students who suffer permanent disability due to an accident.
The guidelines also introduce financial support for transporting injured students requiring advanced medical care. Students referred to hospitals outside their home district for specialised treatment will be eligible for transportation assistance of up to Rs 30,000.
Those admitted to a district headquarters hospital for more than three days can receive transport assistance of up to Rs 10,000, easing the financial burden on families during prolonged treatment.
The department has clarified that eligible students will continue to receive free treatment at government hospitals and can also benefit from other welfare mechanisms, including Ayushman Bharat, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) and assistance from the Red Cross, wherever applicable.
To ensure speedy relief, the government has directed that sanctioned ex-gratia payments be released within 24 hours of approval. The approval process will involve authorities such as the Headmaster or Principal, Block Education Officer (BEO), District Education Officer (DEO) and the District Collector, depending on the nature of the case.
The guidelines also define the order of beneficiaries in the event of a student’s accidental death. The compensation will be paid first to the mother, followed by the father if the mother is not alive. If both parents are deceased, the amount will be released to a guardian identified by the District Collector.
Officials said the new framework is designed to provide prompt financial assistance and uninterrupted medical support to students and their families during accident-related emergencies.