The Jharkhand government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 each for the kin of 5,133 people who died of COVID-19 in the State. Health and Disaster Management Minister Banna Gupta said that Rs 25.26 crore will be transferred to the accounts of the kin of the deceased who died during the corona pandemic.
The minister further stated that the respective Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all 24 districts have been directed to ensure the money distribution among corona victim dependents.
Issuing a directive in this regard, Gupta said "We cannot compensate for the death caused by the global pandemic but stand along with the families of those who lost their members." The minister said the family members of the victims can apply in online or offline mode.
“The government took this decision as it wants to help the families who suffered the loss of breadwinners during Covid. The government has already released an amount of Rs 25.26 crore, which has been allocated to all districts for nearly 5,133 persons who had died of Covid. The amount would be transferred to the bank account of the deceased,” stated the release from the health minister's office.
It further states that dependents can directly go to the circle office and submit applications or they can apply online in the respective district portal. After receiving the application, it would be verified by the concerned circle office and thereafter it would be reviewed by the district disaster management authority which would then take a final call on payment of compensation.
The decision of Jharkhand to provide compensatory relief to family members of corona victims assumes importance as in October this year, the Supreme Court, approved the ex-gratia policy of Rs 50,000 to families of people who died of Covid-19.
“Next kin of the deceased shall be paid an amount of Rs 50,000 and it will be over and above the amounts paid by center and state under various benevolent schemes,” a bench of Justices M R Shah and A S Bopanna had said.
The court said that the amount should be disbursed within 30 days of submission of the application. The court also said that Covid-19 cases for purposes of compensation would be those where the victims tested positive in an outside clinic or inpatient facility within 30 days of the date of death.