States to pay ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 for COVID-19 deaths: Centre
The money would be provided by the States from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and the financial aid would be given, provided that the cause of death is certified as Covid-19.
FollowNew Delhi: The families of those who die of Covid will receive an ex gratia amount of Rs 50,000 from the state governments, the Centre informed the Supreme Court.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has recommended the amount also to those who succumbed to the virus while involved in relief operations and preparedness activities.
The financial aid would be given, provided that the cause of death is certified as Covid-19 as per guidelines brought out by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on September 3.
The payments, NDMA added, “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”.
Also read: UK approves Covishield for travel, but casts doubts over India's Covid vaccination certification
The states will disburse the money from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The Union government contributes 75% of SDRF allocation to general category states and Union Territories, meanwhile, 90% for special category states and UTs such as the North-East states, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
"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.
"Compensation will be given to families of even those deceased who were involved in Covid relief operations or associated in preparedness activities...The cause of death needs to be certified as COVID-19 in accordance with Health Ministry guidelines."
India has recorded over 4.45 lakh Covid-related deaths so far since the pandemic broke out in March 2020. The top 10 states that have reported the most number of Covid-19 deaths are Maharashtra (1.38 lakh), Karnataka (37,000), Tamil Nadu (35,000), Delhi (25,000), Uttar Pradesh (23,000), Kerala (22,500), West Bengal (19,000), Punjab (16,000), Andhra Pradesh (14,000) and Chhattisgarh (13,500).
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
