States to provide compensation for Covid death-Centre to SC

The Central government has said that the families of those who die of Covid will receive Rs 50,000 ex- gratia from the state governments. The government said in an affidavit filed before with the Supreme Court on Wednesday.The ex gratia will also be given to kin of Covid-19 victims who were involved in relief operations or associated with “preparedness activities” from the state disaster response fund (SDRF). The ex gratia assistance...will continue to be provided for deaths that may occur in the future phases of the COVID-19 pandemic as well, or until further notification, the Centre's affidavit said.

In the affidavit submitted to the top court, the government said that all claims related to Covid deaths must be settled within 30 days of submission of the required documents, adding that the amount should be disbursed through the Aadhaar-linked direct benefit transfer procedures. The compensation will be paid for future Covid-related deaths as well, the government told the court. The cause of death will need to be certified as Covid-19 in accordance with the health ministry guidelines to claim the compensation. The district disaster management authorities will ensure that the process of claim, verification, sanction, and disbursal is simple, robust, and people-friendly.

Grievances, if any, will be handled by district-level committees consisting of Additional District Collector, Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Additional CMO or the Principal or Head of Department of Medicine at a Medical College (if one existing the district), and a subject expert.The committee will, after verifying facts, propose necessary remedial measures, including the issuance of amended official documents.In case the decision of the committee is not in favour of the claimant, a clear reason for the same shall be recorded,the affidavit said.