‘Extend cover for COVID-19 to retd staff': TNCC president KS Alagiri

Chennai

Drawing the CM’s attention to most of the 7.3 lakh and odd retired government employees drawing their pension living in the fear of coronavirus infection, Alagiri said that it was the duty of the government to bear the medical expenses of its retired employees after serving the government for years.

Stating that about Rs 350 per month was deducted from the monthly pension of retired government employees towards medical insurance, Alagiri said the retired employees and their family members were eligible for a medical insurance cover of Rs 4 lakh for four years. However, the retired employees have to bear the full expense of COVID-19 treatment in the event of them contracting the virus as the infection has not been included in their insurance package. Describing the difference as unacceptable, he said the state should have the same approach towards health insurance of serving and retired employees.