Supreme Court approves Centre’s compensation scheme for Covid victims, states asked to release funds in 30 days

The Supreme Court has approved the Centre’s scheme of granting Rs 50,000 ex gratia compensation for all those who died due to Covid-19 in India.

The Supreme Court has delivered an order on a plea seeking implementation of the court order directing NDMA to frame guidelines for the payment of ex gratia compensation to the Covid-19 victims.

Justice MR Shah said during the hearing on Monday, “The next kin of the deceased shall be paid an amount of Rs 50,000 and it will be over and above the amounts paid by Centre and state under various benevolent schemes.”

“No state shall deny the Rs 50,000 benefit on the ground that cause of death in death certificate is not Covid-19. The district authorities will take remedial steps to have the cause of death corrected. District level committee details to be published in the print media,” ruled the Supreme Court.

The court has further said that the payment will be from state disaster relief funds. The compensation amount will have to be disbursed within 30 days of application and the cause of death being certified as Covid-19.

Justice MR Shah has also said, “The ex gratia assistance shall continue to be provided for deaths that continue to occur post the date of judgment.”

The court has said that the grievance redressal committee can examine the medical records of the deceased patient and take a call within 30 days and order the compensation. The committee will have the power to call for records from the hospitals.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has recommended that Rs 50,000 be given to the kin of those who died of Covid-19, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court last month.

The government had said that ex gratia assistance will also be given to the kin of those who died of the virus due to involvement in Covid-19 relief operations or activities associated with the preparedness for dealing with the pandemic.