Covid-19 Deaths: Order regarding Ex-Gratia payment is ‘very clear,’ stated Supreme Court

Mar 15, 2022 #COVID-19 #SUPREME COURT

Khushi Doshi

Published on: March 15, 2022 at 17:25 IST

The Supreme Court said its previous Order Granting Ex-Gratia of Rs. 50,000 to Family Members of those who died as a Result of Covid-19 is “Very Clear,” and that the payment is to be made for each Death.

The Supreme Court made the Statement while hearing an Application filed by Assam, which sought Clarification on whether each of the Deceased parents’ children would receive an Ex-Gratia payment of Rs. 50,000 if there were more than one child.

“In fact, our earlier order is very clear and the ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 shall be

qua each death,” a Bench of Justices M R Shah and B V Nagarathna said.

“As a result, it is Observed and Clarified that if there is more than one child, only one child/family member, as the Case may be, shall receive an Ex-Gratia payment of Rs 50,000,” it stated.

The Supreme Court ruled that if both parents died, the child would be Entitled to Rs. 50,000 for each death, one for the Deceased father and one for the Deceased mother.

‘It is Rs. 50,000 for each death,” it said, dismissing the Application.

The issue arose while the Supreme Court was hearing Pleas filed by Advocates.

Gaurav Bansal and other intervenors have requested Ex-Gratia assistance for family members of Covid-19 Victims.

During the January hearing, the Supreme Court took note of the submissions that over 10,000 children have been Orphaned as a result of Covid-19 and other causes since the start of the Pandemic and should be compensated.

On October 4, last year, it stated that no State shall deny Ex-Gratia of Rs. 50,000 to the next of kin of the Deceased due to Covid-19 solely because the Death Certificate does not mention the Virus as the cause of Death.

Related Post