New Delhi, 20th June 2021: Regarding petitions seeking ex-gratia of Rs four lakh to the families of deceased who died due to Coronavirus disease (COVID19), the Central government has informed the Supreme Court in an affidavit that due to financial constraints and other factors, ex gratia amount of Rs four lakh can’t be paid to kins.

The government informed that there is a provision to pay compensation only in the case of natural calamity like earthquake, flood etc. If compensation is paid for death caused by disease, it would be wrong.

In an affidavit, Centre said, “States are unable to pay ex-gratia amount to covid victims due to financial crisis.”

The Supreme Court is hearing a petition regarding this matter. The petition requested the Centre and States to provide an ex-gratia amount of Rs four lakh to the families of deceased who lost their lives due to COVID as per the Disaster Management Act.

Centre said in an affidavit filed in SC, “It would not be appropriate to implement compensation for natural disasters due to the spread and impact of Coronavirus pandemic. Centre and States are already under serious financial pressure due to reduction in revenue and increment in health expenses. Using assets to pay an ex-gratia amount may affect the proceedings against covid and health expenses. It may cause harm instead of good.”

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 386713 people have died to COVID19 in India.