New Delhi, Nov 29, : , Monday’s Supreme Court expressed concern over state governments trying to resolve various issues related to Rs 50,000 ex-gratia distributions to next-of-kin of Covid victims. The Kerala government was unable to identify the next of kin of Covid victims.
Many state governments have not registered many claims for Covid compensation.Maharashtra government has not provided any information about claims forms received.
The Centre was asked by the top court on November 22 to provide data from different state governments regarding ex-gratia distributions for Covid deaths.Also, information about the setting up of grievance redressal boards.
It requested that governments give more publicity to the Covid compensation scheme as many people who have lost family members to the virus infection may not be aware of it.Also, the Centre set up an online registration system to obtain compensation.
A bench of Justices M.R.took into account Centre’s affidavit regarding Covid claims.Shah and B.V.Nagarathna reported in Kerala that 38,737 deaths were recorded.6,116 claim forms were received.However, the amount disbursed was null due to a lack of clarity about next of kin who is eligible for ex-gratia.
Maharashtra had 1,40,807 recorded deaths.However, data submitted to Centre showed that information on claims forms received and amount disbursed were not provided due to non-release of the web application.
The bench reminded Solicitor General Tushar Mahta that while Haryana had recorded 10,053 deaths from Covid, only 1,800 claims forms were received.Karnataka had 38,182 deaths, but only 14,237 claims forms were received.
The court demanded that the scheme be given more publicity.
Mehta stated: “In Gujarat 10,000 deaths have been reported to the portal.We have begun making direct benefit transfer payments.”
The bench stated that they would issue notice to Maharashtra, Haryana and Kerala, as well as to 3-4 other states, and ask them for a detailed affidavit.
The highest court ordered all states to provide details about the claims and disbursal Covid compensation to the Centre.It suggested that a uniform, simplified process could be used across the country for registration and disbursement of compensation.
Mehta, representing Gujarat government, stated that an online portal was being created to facilitate the disbursal process.It would be widely publicized.
The bench also noted that it is difficult to apply for compensation physically.
“A person in remote villages.
He must go to a Collector’s Place in the district.And you know that an intermediary person will also attend.He will benefit.”
Mehta stated that a portal would be created and that information would be published on it.He said, “We will have an internet portal in two weeks.”
According to the bench, if data collection is simplified, there is a chance that the number of claims will increase dramatically.It cited data from Andhra Pradesh, which showed that there were 14,431 deaths and 23,868 claims.This is more than the actual deaths.
It stated that the order allows claimants to file for compensation if the RTPCR report is positive and the person dies within 30 days.This applies regardless of the cause of death.
“The number of claimants in other states is likely to rise.”
The highest court ordered the Chief Secretaries of States to provide full details to the Centre, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Disaster Management Authority.It also scheduled the matter for further hearing on Dec 6.
In its October 4th judgment, the Supreme Court approved Rs 50,000 ex-gratia to the kin of Covid victims.This was recommended by the National Disaster Management Authority.Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal pleaded for the passage of the order.
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