Frame guidelines to pay ex-gratia to COVID-19 victims' kins: SC directs Centre

NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to frame guidelines within 6 weeks to pay ex-gratia to families of those who died due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also dismissed the Centre's plea that no such ex gratia can be paid. The top court further said that the amount to be paid as ex gratia will be determined by the national authority under the NDMA.

The three-judge bench of the Supreme Court led by Justice Ashok Bhushan, in its judgement, also directed the National Disaster Management Authority to ascertain within 6 weeks ex-gratia amount that can be paid to the family members of those who died due to COVID-19.

The top court observed that by not providing minimum standards of relief, including ex-gratia to families of COVID-19 victims, the NDMA has failed in discharging its statutory duty.

The bench passed the order on a plea seeking ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh to families of those who have lost someone due to COVID-19.

The Supreme Court also directed the central government to issue guidelines to simplify the issuance of death certificates in cases of deaths due to Covid complications.

Earlier this month, the Centre had told the SC that ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh cannot be paid to the families of those who have died of COVID-19 as it is beyond fiscal affordability and the finances of central and state governments are under severe strain.

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