Today Ministry of Home Affairs informed that Supreme Court that NDMA National Disaster Management Authority has recommended the payment of Rs 50,000 each as ex gratia assistance to the next kin of those who died of COVID-19, including those who succumbed to the virus while involved in relief operations and preparedness activities.
The financial aid would be given, provided that the cause of death is certified as COVID-19. The money would be provided by States from SDRF State Disaster Response Fund. Disbursement of amounts would be carried out by District Disaster Management Authority/district administration concerned to the families. In case of grievances regarding certification of death as prescribed in the Health Ministry and ICMR Indian Council of Medical Research, district-level committees comprising Additional District Collector, CMOH Chief Medical Officer of Health, Additional CMOH/Principal or HOD Medicine of a medical college (if one exists in the district) and a subject expert would propose the necessary remedial measures, including issuance of amended official document for COVID-19 death after verifying facts in accordance with the Health Ministry and ICMR guidelines.
