States can’t deny ex gratia to Covid victims’ kin: Supreme Court

New Delhi, October 4

The Supreme Court on Monday said states couldn’t deny the ex gratia of Rs 50,000 to the next of kin of those who died due to Covid-19 solely on the ground that the death certificate didn’t mention the virus as the cause of death.

“No state shall deny the ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 to the next of the kin of the deceased died due to COVID-19 solely on the ground that in the death certificate issued by the appropriate authority, the cause of death is not mentioned as ‘Died due to Covid-19,” a Bench led by Justice MR Shah said.

The compensation is to be disbursed within 30 days from the date of submitting the application to the District Disaster Management Authority/district administration concerned along with the proof of the death of the victim due to Covid and the cause of death being certified as “Died due to Covid-19”, it said, adding the amount shall be provided by the states concerned. — TNS