'We Are Very Happy' : Supreme Court Expresses Satisfaction With Centre's Decision On Rs 50,000 Ex-Gratia For COVID Deaths

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed happiness with the Centre's decision on providing ex gratia compensation to the kin of those who died due to COVID-19.According to the guidelines framed by the National Disaster Management Authority, the ex-gratia compensation for COVID-19 deaths is fixed as Rs 50,000, which will be paid by the States from the State Disaster Response Fund.A bench comprising Justices MR Shah and Justice AS Bopanna orally observed that the Government's decision would bring some solace to the persons who have suffered. "Today we are very happy. There will be some solace to the persons who have suffered. Everything the Govt is performing... We're happy that something is being done to wipe out tears of the person who suffered", Justice Shah orally said"We have to take judicial notice of the fact that what India has done,no other country could do " Justice Shah added.In the hearing today, the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta apprised the bench about the guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority to provide ex gratia compensation to the kin of those who died due to CoVID. "To ensure uniformity, we have decided that the States from SDRF will give 50,000 to the kin of the deceased who died due to CoVID", the SG said."We cannot repair the loss, but we can do something", the SG added.The Court was hearing an application seeking compliance of the June 30 judgment in which directions were issued to the National Disaster Management Authority to frame guidelines for grant of compensation to the dependents of those who died due to COVID, and to issue guidelines to simplify the process of issuance of death certificates in COVID cases.The Centre has filed compliance affidavits informing the court about the guidelines framed to fix the ex-gratia as Rs 50,000 and to simplify the process of issuing death certificates.Expressing satisfaction with the Centre's measures, the Court said that it will pass appropriate orders on October 4. Case Title: Gaurav Kumar Bansal v Union of IndiaClick Here To Read/ Download Order

'We Are Very Happy' : Supreme Court Expresses Satisfaction With Centre's Decision On Rs 50,000 Ex-Gratia For COVID Deaths

Shruti Kakkar

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