Nishka Srinivas Veluvali-
Published on: December 06, 2021 at 24: 10 IST
The Supreme Court, on December 06, slashed the State Governments for prolonged delays in the reimbursements of payments for the deaths caused due to Covid-19.
The Top Court targeted the Governments of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Rajasthan. The Supreme Court in October had sanctioned Rs.50,000 as compensation to the families of people who lost their lives due to Covid-19.
The matter was being heard by the two-judge Bench of Justice MR Shah and Justice BV Nagarathna.
“We are not at all happy with the affidavit filed by the Maharashtra government. Over 1 lakh deaths have been recorded in Maharashtra but only 37,000 applications were received. Not a single person has been paid compensation yet. It is ridiculous and cannot be accepted”, Justice MR Shah slammed the Lawyer representing the Maharashtra Government.
Lawyer appearing for Maharashtra government, Sachin Patil requested for more time to distribute the compensation amount and claimed that they would file an Affidavit with regard to the same.
Justice MR Shah responded to the Lawyer’s claim, “You keep the affidavit in your pocket and give it your CM.”
Maharashtra Government is ordered to start with the reimbursement of the compensation amount instantly.
West Bengal had faced 19,000 deaths due to Covid-19 but only 467 applications have been received and only 110 out those have been paid till now.
In the Case of Rajasthan, there have been 9,000 Covid deaths and only 595 applications have been received to which the compensation has not been paid yet.
Many State Governments have put up online portals after December 3, only after the Supreme Court issued a Notice.
Justice Shah averred, “State Governments woke up and set up online portals only after courts compelled them to do so.”
The Bench has also ordered the States to broaden the publicity of the same so that more people would come forward and get benefitted
The Court has adjourned the matter for December 10.
