Odisha to introduce insurance scheme for school children

The Odisha government is chewing over an insurance scheme for students of government schools. If the scheme is implemented, over 66 lac students from Class I to X would be benefited.

The Naveen Patnaik government took this decision in view of frequent incidents of school accident recently, in which several students lost their lives. However, the proposal is in its preliminary stage, and insurer is yet to be finalized. 

The government representatives are in talks with general insurance companies. “We are discussing with various groups. Normsareyet to be finalized”, school and mass education secretary Smt.  Usha Padhee said.

“The scheme would cover all types of mishaps during school hour, educational tours, picnics, road accidents, fire, drowning, falling from trees or boundary wall collapse. The compensation money will help parents and guardians of affected students in meeting medical expenses immediately”, Smt. Padhi said adding, “In case of death, the parents of the deceased student would get compensation between Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lac from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, but there is no provision for major injuries.”

The government, as of now, has been providing compensation packages of around Rs 1 lac in case of major mishaps. And, in some cases, the medical expenses are also borne by the government.

Source : http://www.insuringindia.com