Manipur: Cashless treatment for security, polling personnel, and employees on election duties

Imphal: Under the directives of the Election Commission (ECI), the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur Pradeep Kumar Jha on Saturday chaired a meeting with Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of various districts concerning cashless treatment of security men, polling personnel, and employees on election duties at the Conference hall of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur.

The meeting was held regarding cashless treatment for security, polling personnel, and other employees who sustain injury or fall sick while discharging duty in the Poll process.

The elections for two Lok Sabha seats will be held in two phases on April 19 and Aril 26.

During the meeting, the Chief Electoral Officer advised the CMOs to be fully geared up for providing appropriate medical facilities to security, polling personnel, and others on election duty.

He also briefed on other necessary arrangements to be taken up by the concerned CMOs during the election process.

The District Election Officers are authorized to draw and disburse expenses incurred in respect of cashless payments of polling officials to the extent of Rs 50, 000 per person.

Expenses beyond Rs. 50,000 but below Rs 1 lakh per person can be drawn and disbursed by the District Election Officer and District Collector, subject to ratification by the Chief Electoral Officer.

The cashless treatment scheme will apply to all Polling Officers, Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Security personnel, and BEL/ECIL engineers engaged in the election-related duty of all General and Bye elections conducted by the Election Commission of India.

State Nodal Officer (Health) Dr. N. Bino Singh made a presentation on the arrangement taken up by the Health Department which included the constitution of two helicopter Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).

He also informed about the issuance of notifications regarding security facilities, polling personnel, and everyone on election duty and how they can avail of cashless treatment in public and private health institutions in case of any unwanted injury/accident.