SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Covid-19 Deaths, Asks States To Pay Ex Gratia In 10 Days

COVID-19 Deaths: The apex court of the country on Friday took suo moto cognizance of the COVID-19 deaths in the country.

Supreme Court of India building (File photo: AFP)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed all state governments and union territories to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with the member secretary of the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) to fight the spread of COVID-19 so that ex-gratia amount can be paid to the families of those who lost their lives in the pandemic.

Alongside this, the Supreme Court has said that in the wake of getting data from the states, compensation to be paid to the casualties within a maximum period of 10 days. A bench of Justice M.R. Shah and Justice BV Nagarathna guided the state governments to give total insights about the orphans alongside the name, address, and death certificates to the concerned State Legal Services Authority within seven days from today (Friday). And said that failing this, the matter will be taken very seriously.

The court said that it had said in its previous order the state governments should give full details of fatalities related to COVID-19 recorded on their portal as well as full details of people to whom ex-gratia amount has been paid, despite this, it appears that most of the states have only given figures and have not given any complete details.

The bench said that the purpose behind the previous request giving total details was to at minimum investigate the cases which are enlisted with the state governments and in which the suitable authorities have not been approached for compensation.

Legal Services Authority will act as a bridge

The court said, "the legal services authorities will reach out to them and see that they apply and they will act as a bridge. Similarly, details regarding orphans have not been given. We direct all the state governments to give full details regarding their names, addresses, death certificates, etc., and orphans to the concerned State Legal Services Authority within a week from today".

Failure to do so will result in the matter being taken very seriously. The top court said that it would be the endeavor of the Legal Services Authority to reach out to the victims who have not been approached for any reason so far.