New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has informed the Supreme Court that Rs 4 lakh compensation cannot be paid to all those who succumbed to Covid-19 as it would exhaust the disaster relief funds.
“If ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh is given for every person who loses life due to Covid-19, the entire amount of SDRF may possibly be spent on this item alone, and indeed the total expenditure may go up further,” the Centre told the apex court.
The Centre in a 183-page affidavit filed late last night added that denying compensation for diseases other than Covid-19 would be “unfair”.
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The ruling dispensation said it is beyond states’ budget to pay compensation for lakhs of Covid victims due to increased health expenses and low tax revenue.
“If the entire SDRF funds get consumed on ex-gratia for Covid-19 victims, the States may not have sufficient funds for organizing Covid-19 response, for provision of various essential medical and other supplies, or to take care of other disasters like cyclones, floods, etc.,” the government said in response to a plea seeking “minimum standards of relief" and ex-gratia payment to Covid-19 deceased.
The government further said “hence, the prayer of the petitioner for payment of ex-gratia to all deceased persons due to Covid-19, is beyond the fiscal affordability of the State governments”.
Reminding the apex court of its earlier judgment to keep away from executive policies, the Centre reportedly said the judiciary cannot decide on its behalf.
Stating that all Coronavirus deaths, regardless of where it takes place, should be recorded as Covid-19 deaths, the Centre in its affidavit also promised action against those doctors who fail to comply with this rule.
The Centre’s decision to certify all Covid deaths comes as several states have seen massive unaccounted death figures.
The apex court will hear this matter on Monday.
Around 3.86 lakh people have so far succumbed to Covid-19, as per the Union Health Ministry data, and the fatalities are likely to increase.