Aishwarya Rathore –
Published On: September 23, 2021 at 18:19 IST
The Central Government informed the Supreme Court that family members of people who die by Suicide within 30 days from being diagnosed as COVID-19 positive are also entitled to Ex-gratia compensation.
The Additional Affidavit filed by the Centre stated, “The family members of people committing Suicide within 30 days of being diagnosed as COVID-19 positive as per MoH&F/ICMR guidelines will also be entitled to avail financial help as granted under SDRF in accordance with the Guidelines dated 11.09.2021 issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under Section 12 (iii) of the Disaster Management Act.”
The Affidavit further stated that “COVID-19 case, while admitted to the hospital/inpatient facility, and who continued to be admitted beyond 30 days, and died subsequently, shall be treated as a COVID-19 death.”
The Central Government had earlier informed the Supreme Court that it had recommended compensation of Rs 50,000 for each individual who died due to COVID-19.
The earlier affidavit submitted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the Ex-gratia assistance should be paid by the States from their respective State Disaster Response Funds.
It was further submitted that liberty would be given to the family of the deceased to raise a grievance before the concerned District Level Committee.
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