News Analysis India

Tag: coronavirus death

  • Chhattisgarh forms panel to disburse ex gratia to kin of those who died of Covid

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh government has formed a ‘death analysis committee’ which will help issue certificated to form the basis of disbursing ex gratia compensation of Rs 50000 for the kin of those who died due to Covid-19.

    The panel will deal with the grievances regarding certification of death and issue amended documents after directly accessing the hospital medical records to ascertain claims, a state health department official said. 

    The state government has instructed the administration of every district to complete the process for granting compensation within 30 days.

    “Covid-19 is an unprecedented disaster. In Chhattisgarh, 13569 people have died due to Covid-19. All district collectors have been directed to comply with the necessary guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Home Affairs and undertake necessary action to provide the ex gratia compensation. The disbursement would be via Aadhar-linked direct bank transfer process,” the officer added. 

  • SC reserves verdict on Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia compensation to kin of COVID-19 deceased

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday reserved verdict on the pleas seeking directions that ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh be paid to the families of those who have died of COVID-19.

    A special vacation bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah heard Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate S B Upadhyay and other lawyers for almost two hours.

    The top court asked the parties to file written submissions in three days and specifically directed the Centre to simplify the process of grant of death certificates to the dependents of those who have died of COVID-19.

    The Centre had earlier the apex court that the ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh cannot be paid to the families of those who have died of COVID-19 as the finances of state governments and the Centre are under severe strain.

    In an affidavit filed before the top court, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre submitted that it has by ways of “Minimum Standard Relief” under section 12 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, taken several steps providing for substantial and speedy measures by way of, increase in the health, infrastructure, ensuring food safety to every citizen.

    Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, one of the petitioners in the matter, had argued that under section 12(iii) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, every family whose member died due to disaster is entitled for ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4,00,000.

    He had argued that since COVID-19 has been declared as a disaster and as per the order dated April 8, 2015, every family whose member dies due to disaster is entitled for ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh.

    The counsel, appearing for another petitioner Reepak Kansal, had argued that a large number of deaths were taking place due to COVID-19 and death certificates need to be issued, as only after that the affected family members can claim compensation under section 12 (iii) of the Act.

    In his plea, Kansal has said that states should be directed to fulfil their obligation to take care of victims of COVID-19 and also their family members.