COVID Warrior Death- Delhi High Court Issues Notice On Plea Seeking Ex-Gratia Payment Of Rs 50 Lakhs & 1 Crore Under Govt. Schemes

In a plea seeking ex gratia payment of Rs.50 lakhs, in terms of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Insurance scheme for health workers fighting COVID-19, and Rs.1 crore, in terms of the scheme of the GNCTD, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday (20th April) issued notice to the Union of India and Delhi Government.

The Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh was hearing the plea of one Sangeeta Wahi who lost her husband, who was deployed by the Government to perform an essential service as a guard at the OPD, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.

The Petitioner's husband died due to COVID-19 on 14th June, 2020.

The Petitioner submitted that she was entitled to ex gratia payment, in terms of the scheme announced by the GNCTD on 7th April 2020, for COVID warriors/ family of employees doing COVID-19 duty, who have died due to COVID-19.

It was further submitted that when she approached the Public Grievance Cell and other authorities, she did not receive a satisfactory reply and hence she moved before the Delhi High Court,

Further, in the instant petition, she sought ex gratia payment of Rs.50 lakhs, in terms of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package and Rs.1 crore, in terms of the scheme of the GNCTD.

The Court issued notice to the Union of India, GNCTD, and the New India Assurance Company Ltd.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 6.

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