The Maharashtra government on Monday announced a condolence assistance payment of Rs 50 lakh each to the families of four educators who tragically lost their lives due to COVID-19 while performing coronavirus duties.
Navnath Asaram Mandude, an assistant teacher at Panav Khurd Centre in Beed district passed away on April 28, 2021 after contracting COVID-19. He had been actively involved in the COVID-19 duty, conducting surveys in affected areas and arranging RT-PCR tests from March 2021. Mandude had worked at the school since May 29, 2018. His death was certified by Sukkarta Hospital in Malegaon, where he had been receiving treatment. His legal heirs, Sarika Mandude, Divya Mandude, and Saish Mandude, will receive Rs50 lakh as condolence assistance.
Sanjay Kisan Nikam, an assistant teacher at Zilla Parishad Primary School in Jalgaon district died on April 2, 2021 after contracting COVID-19 while on duty for the “My Family My Responsibility” COVID-19 survey programme. Nikam had been actively involved in COVID-19 prevention efforts since March 16, 2021. He was admitted to Shridatt Hospital in Aurangabad, where he passed away after a two-week battle with the virus. His wife, Vijaya Nikam, and daughters, Trupti Nikam and Dipali Nikam, have been named as the legal heirs and will receive Rs 50 lakh in condolence assistance, as per the government resolution.
Surekha Hari Pudu, the Headmistress of Zilla Parishad Primary School in Goradwadi, Solapur district, tragically succumbed to COVID-19 on May 9, 2021. Pudu had been engaged in COVID-19 related duties since March 22 that year as part of the “My Village Corona-Free Village” campaign. She contracted the virus while performing her duties and was hospitalised in Solapur and Sangli before her death. Her legal heirs, husband Hari Ganpati Pudu, and children Vipul Pudu and Tejaswini Pudu, will also receive Rs50 lakh in condolence assistance.
Navneet Namdev Badgujar, an Assistant Teacher at Zilla Parishad Primary School in Rajurpada, Nashik, was also confirmed to have died due to COVID-19 on April 10, 2021. Badgujar had been assigned duties related to COVID-19 prevention and was working in various affected areas, conducting surveys and helping with the distribution of essential supplies. His death, confirmed by medical professionals from Zilla Parishad Hospital, Nashik, came after a period of severe illness due to the virus. His wife, Shubhangi Badgujar, and their children, have been named as legal heirs and will be entitled to Rs50 lakh in condolence assistance.
The Maharashtra government has confirmed that the condolence assistance will be provided from the sanctioned funds under the primary education budget for grants to Zilla Parishads.
The relevant certifications from local authorities and medical professionals have been included in the resolutions, confirming the educators’ roles in pandemic-related duties and their untimely deaths. The distribution of these funds will be managed by the Commissioner (Education), Pune, who has been appointed as the controlling officer for the release of the condolence assistance.
