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Supreme Court questions Centre for delay in framing Guidelines for Covid 19

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Akanksha Singh –

Published on: September 3, 2021, at 17:08 IST

The Supreme Court on Friday slammed the Center for the delay in framing guidelines regarding compensation for those who died due to COVID-19.

The Bench of Justices MR Shah and Aniruddha Bose asked the Centre to file a compliance Affidavit by September 11

The Supreme Court gave the Centre four weeks to frame ex-gratia compensation norms for Covid-19 deaths on August 16. Further, the Court asked the Center to indicate within two weeks the steps taken on Death Certificate guidelines and social security and welfare measures as suggested by the Finance Commission in COVID-19 cases.

Justice Shah said that “We passed the order long time back. We have already extended the time once. By the time you frame the guidelines, the third phase will also be over”

Thereafter the Solicitor General submitted that “The issue is under consideration and it will be finalise soon”.

The Supreme Court on June 30 directed that deaths due to COVID-related complications must be certified as COVID deaths and also directed the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) to frame guidelines for granting compensation to the dependents of those persons who dies due to COVID and give the time limit of 6 weeks .

By passing verdict in the case of Gaurav Kumar Bansal vs Union of India and Reepak Kansal vs Union of India and Others. the Bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan(since retired) and MR Shah stated that “ The death certificate issued in respect of a COVID death should clearly specify the cause of death as COVID. Also, if a person has died due to any other complication or disease due to COVID, the cause should also be specifically mentioned in the death certificate.”

The Court also provided some guidelines for those persons who have the complaint of issuing wrong/incorrect death certificate in respect of COVID fatality.

Also Read: Supreme Court: Heart-wrenching to see survival of children without parents due to Covid-19