Ex- gratia for COVID-19 victims: Request TS CMO to issue GO, guidelines to all district collectors
Almost all states have already started implementing the guidelines of the Supreme Court but in Telangana, there is no such GO and information in the government websites.
By Pradeep Kumar Gollamudi Published on 6 Nov 2021 2:55 PM GMT
NewsMeter has always been at the forefront of highlighting people's problems, celebrating the common person's success, and encouraging people to live their dreams. We are trying to become a bridge between the government and the people. To take this initiative forward, we are introducing a citizen journalism concept. This story is part of the initiative.
On 25 September 2021, following a Supreme Court judgement, the ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued orders to all states and Union Territories to release ex-gratia relief of ₹50,000 to the next of kin of those who died of COVID-19.
Gaurav Kumar Bansal and Reepak Kansal, both lawyers-cum-petitioners, filed writ petitions seeking ex-gratia compensation for the family members of people who died of COVID-19. The Supreme Court issued a judgement on 30 June in writ petitions (civil) 554/2021 and 539 and issued guidelines for ex-gratia assistance to next of kin of COVID-19 victims on 11 September.
The National Disaster Management Authority, in its guidelines, stated, "The authority recommends an amount of Rs. 50,000 per deceased person, including those involved in relief operations or associated in preparedness activities, subject to the cause of death being certified as COVID-19."
On the source of funds, the guidelines said that "the ex-gratia assistance shall be provided by states from State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF)".
The Supreme Court on 4 October, while approving Centre's disaster management guidelines, said the money should be disbursed within 30 days of applying. The Bench also said that no state shall deny ex-gratia on grounds that the death certificate does not mention the cause of death as "died due to COVID-19".
The court also ordered the states and the Centre to give wide publicity to the scheme in print media and electronic media.
As per the MHA guidelines, all state governments started issuing GOs and instructions to the concerned departments for the release of ex-gratia to the families of the persons who died of COVID-19. Most of the states have initiated the process of receiving applications for further processing.
On 1 October, the Union minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, approved the release of the second installment of the Central share of the SDRF amounting to Rs. 7,274.40 crore in advance to 23 states. Five states have already released the second installment amounting to Rs. 1,599.20 crore.
Almost all states have already started implementing the guidelines of the Supreme Court but in Telangana, there is no such GO and information in the government websites. People have been inquiring on social media about the COVID-19 ex-gratia GO and the procedure for application. However, they have not received any response from the authorities.
Through NewsMeter citizen journalism we would like to bring to the kind notice of the Telangana government the delay in issuing GO for the release of COVID- 19 ex-gratia. We hope that the GO will be issued soon for the benefit of the bereaved families of people who died of COVID-19.
