Court frowns at delay in action over its June 30 order
The Supreme Court on Friday expressed displeasure over delay in framing guidelines for issuance of death certificates to the families of those who died of Covid-19 and directed the Centre to do so and file compliance report by September 11.
“We passed the order a long time back. We have already extended the time once. By the time you frame the guidelines, the third phase will also be over”, a bench comprising Justices MR Shah and Aniruddha Bose observed.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, assured the apex court that everything is under consideration.
Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, who has filed the petition, submitted that under the pretext of consideration things should not be delayed as the top court has already granted four-week extension to the Centre on August 16 to frame guidelines for ex-gratia compensation and now it is seeking more time. Advocate Sumeer Sodhi, who appeared for some of the applicants, said extended time for the first direction passed on June 30 is getting over on September 8.
The bench said it is for the Centre to take decision on compensation within that period of time and today it was adjourning the matter only for the purpose of compliance with other directions. “Put up on September 13 as Solicitor General seeks time to enable Union of India to comply with earlier order and place on record compliance report of other directions issued by this court on June 30, 2021. Compliance report to be filed with the registry on or before September 11,” the bench said.
The apex court had in its June 30 verdict directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to recommend within six weeks appropriate guidelines for ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life to the family members of persons who died due to Covid-19.
The Centre had moved an application seeking some more time to frame the guidelines on the ground that the exercise which was in active consideration of the NDMA was at an advanced stage and requires a little more in-depth examination.