We Are Happy: SC On ₹50,000 Compensation To COVID Victims’ Families

Mumbai: Supreme Court on Thursday said “it’s very happy” with guidelines recommending ₹50,000 compensation to families of COVID-19 victims.

While reserving judgment on the PILs which sought ex gratia for COVID-19 deaths, Justice Shah said, “Today we are very happy. There will be some solace to the persons who have suffered. We are happy that something is being done to wipe out the tears of the person who suffered. We have to take judicial notice of the fact that what India has done, no other country could do.”

Despite such a large population, we as a country have done exceptionally well, he added.

To this Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta said, “India as a nation has responded really well.”

The Center on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the families of those who died of coronavirus.

Today, it filed an affidavit stating that those who died by suicide within 30 days of being COVID-19 positive would also be entitled to ex-gratia.

According to Live Law, on September 13, Justices Shah and AS Bopanna had asked the central government to reconsider its guidelines for determining COVID-19 deaths by including suicides.

The Center also told the top court that the National Disaster Management Authority has recommended a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the next of kin of those who died due to COVID-19 from the SDRF fund to be paid by the states.

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