Supreme Court Asks States To Follow Gujarat's Model In Giving Publicity For COVID Death Compensation Scheme
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The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday lauded the State of Gujarat's advertisements giving publicity relating to disbursal of the ex-gratia compensation to the family of the COVID victims in compliance with its earlier orders.A Bench comprising Justice MR Shah and Justice BV Nagarathna also observed that the specimen of their advertisements should be followed by other states. The Bench has...
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The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday lauded the State of Gujarat's advertisements giving publicity relating to disbursal of the ex-gratia compensation to the family of the COVID victims in compliance with its earlier orders.
A Bench comprising Justice MR Shah and Justice BV Nagarathna also observed that the specimen of their advertisements should be followed by other states. The Bench has asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati appearing for the Union of India to circulate the specimen of Gujarat's advertisements to counsels of other States.
"We are satisfied with the contents of advertisements with particulars which will assist beneficiaries. Such advertisements must be followed by other States. ASG Bhati has submitted that specimen of advertisements will be furnished to counsels of respective states by tomorrow." the Bench said
"Today we are satisfied with Govt of Gujarat's advertisements. Please translate this. Can you also send this to other counsels. This should be the format." the Bench orally observed
The observations were made after going through the specimen of the advertisement and the note circulated on behalf of the State of Gujarat.
The State through its note stated that wide publicity has been given through advertisements in virtually all daily newspapers (97) across 36 districts on 14/12/2021, and the same shall be repeated on 15th also.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Manisha Lavkumar informed the court that the State had 40457 cases, 26826 were received and 23848 have been paid
The Bench recorded that the State of Gujarat has submitted that due to wide publicity, the number of applications have increased and out of applications received, approximately 24000 payments of ex gratia have been done and the rest will be paid in one week from today.
On the last occasion, the Supreme Court had pulled up States for not giving wide publicity to the portal developed with respect to disbursal of the ex-gratia compensation to the family of the COVID victims in compliance with its earlier orders.
Considering the lack of publicity given by the States, the Bench thought it was unfortunate how the common man is not being made aware of crucial aspects of the scheme of compensation to be provided by the States.
The Bench had observed that some of the States have not given any wide publicity by giving advertisement in newspapers, more particularly in the vernacular language newspapers and the local channels by giving the full particulars with respect to the online address on which the victim can make application online.
The Bench recorded statement of the Counsel appearing for State of Gujarat that before the next date of hearing advertisement shall be given in all newspapers, in particular the local newspapers.
Case Title: Gaurav Kumar Bansal vs Union of India
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