COVID Deaths - Greivance Redressal Committee Should Decide Complaints About Non-Payment Of Compensation In 4 Weeks : Supreme Court

A Bench comprising Justices M.R. Shah and B.V. Nagarathna observed that claimants raising grievances regarding non-payment of the compensation or rejection of claim may approach the Grievance Redressal Committee constituted by the State Governments.

"…directing all the States to see that compensation payable under our earlier judgment and orders be paid to the eligible candidates without wasting any time. As observed above…if any claimant has any grievance either on non-payment, though eligible, and/ or rejection of claim they may approach the concerned Grievance Redressal Committee…"

The Bench was hearing plea filed by petitioner-in-person, Mr. Gaurav Bansal that four claimants in the State of Andhra Pradesh have not received compensation. Senior Advocate, Mr. R. Basant appearing for the State, informed the Bench that as on the date of the hearing the compensation had been disbursed to these four claimants.

In this regard, the Bench noted that claimants are free to approach the Grievance Redressal Committees put in place by the State Governments.

Mr. Bansal apprised the Bench that the said Committee can be approached only with grievance of rejection of claim.

The Bench reckoned that claimants, otherwise eligible, should also be able to approach the said Committee with grievances of non-payment as well.

"Those who have grievances can approach the Grievance Redressal Committee. We will make it clear that even on non-payment they can go to the Grievance Redressal Committee."

In this regard, the Bench recorded in its order -

"So far as grievance voiced by Gaurav Bansal…that some persons are still not paid the amount of compensation by State of Andhra Pradesh, we observe that if anybody has any grievance either with respect to non-payment and/or rejection of claim they may approach the concerned Grievance Redressal Committee and as and when the claimant approaches the Committee, the concerned committee in the respective States to take appropriate decision at the earliest and within a period of 4 weeks fro date of submission of such grievance/application."

The Supreme Court has directed that Rs 50,000/- compensation should be given to the family of persons who died due to COVID and that such amounts should be disbursed from the State Disaster Response Funds.

[Case Title: Gaurav Bansal Vs UOI]