Supreme Court Directs Maharashtra To Pay COVID Death Compensation To All Applicants Within 10 Days

A Bench comprising Justice MR Shah and Justice BV Nagarathna noted that out of a total of 85000 applications that have been received, approximately only 1658 claims have been allowed and payments made till 9 Dec.

"We direct the State of Maharashtra to make payment of ex gratia of Rs.50,000 to all applicants who've submitted applications as on today within 10 days including approval & actual payment," the Bench said.

The Bench asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to place before the Court a statement with details of all the States in this regard, with details of applications received, payments made, advertisements are given etc.

"We are worried about the advertisement, and wide publicity. Where to make applications, how etc," the Bench said.

The Bench also expressed dissatisfaction with the publicity given by the State of UP to the ex gratia compensation scheme.

"Each district, local newspapers you are supposed to give advertisements. The grievance redressal committee with their particulars, portal details etc. we don't find any advertisements in any newspapers."

The State of Uttar Pradesh informed the Court that a total of 22911 deaths were registered with the State of UP and 20060 have been given the benefit of ex-gratia. Advocate Ardhendumauli Prasad, Additional Advocate General for the State of UP, took the court through the advertisements published and submitted that phone numbers have been provided in the advertisement.

"Toll free? Who picks up toll free numbers. We'll ask you to call just now and see," Justice Shah said.

"It is the number of the Tehsildar," Prasad said.

"You just now call then. Call the Tehsildar," Justice Shah remarked.

During the hearing, the bench lauded the steps taken by the State of Gujarat to give wide publicity for the compensation portal and suggested that Gujarat's model can be followed by the other states.

On 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.

Case Title: Gaurav Kumar Bansal vs Union of India

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