India announces Rs 50,000 compensation for each Covid death

The families of those who die of Covid will receive Rs 50,000 compensation, the Centre informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday. It said that ex-gratia assistance will also be given to the kin of those who died of the virus due to involvement in COVID-19 relief operations or activities associated with the preparedness for dealing with the pandemic.

The central government also informed that the state will give this amount from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The NDMA made guidelines regarding compensation after SC's instructions.

The ex-gratia assistance will be given subject to the cause of death being certified as COVID-19 as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and ICMR, the government said.

As per procedure, the families to this compensation will have to apply in the Disaster Management Office of respective districts.

Along with the application, the certificate mentioning 'death due to corona' along with the medical certificate will have to be submitted.

On September 3, the top court had expressed displeasure over delay in framing of guidelines for issuance of death certificates to the families of those who died of COVID-19.

The apex court had in its June 30 verdict directed the NDMA to recommend within six weeks the guidelines for ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life to the family members of persons who died due to COVID-19. _Agencies