Compensate COVID Victims’ Families Without Wasting Time: SC To States

Mumbai: The Supreme Court on Monday asked all states and Union Territories to pay compensation to the family members of COVID-19 victims without wasting any time.

A bench of Justices MR Shah and B V Nagarathna said that if any claimant has a complaint regarding non-payment of compensation and/or rejection of their claim, they can approach the concerned Grievance Redressal Committee.

It also directed the Grievance Redressal Committee to take a decision on the claimant’s application within four weeks.

With regard to the petition alleging the transfer of funds from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to personal deposit accounts by the Andhra Pradesh government, the bench directed the transfer of funds to the SDRF account within two days.

The bench said, “We close the proceedings by directing all the states that the compensation payable under our earlier order is paid to the eligible persons without wasting any time and if any claimant has any grievance they may approach the concerned grievance redressal committee,” the bench said.

The top court had earlier given “one last chance” to the Andhra Pradesh government to file its reply on a plea alleging transfer of funds by the state from SDRF to personal deposit accounts and restraining the state government from diverting funds. and notice was issued. in this matter.

Advocate Gaurav Bansal, appearing for petitioner Palla Srinivasa Rao, submitted that Andhra Pradesh has transferred money from SDRF to personal deposit accounts which is not permissible under the Disaster Management Act.

He had alleged that the State Government was illegally using the funds of SDRF for purposes other than those specified under Section 46(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

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