The central government on Wednesday apprised the Supreme Court that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has recommended an amount of Rs 50,000 as ex-gratia to be paid to families of those who have died of COVID-19, including those who were involved in relied operations or associated in preparedness activities to the cause of death.

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It has to be noted that in an affidavit filed before the apex court, the Centre said that NDMA proposed Rs 50,000 as ex-gratia amount to the kins of persons who have died of COVID-19 and the amount has to be distributed by state governments from the State Disaster Response Fund. The final hearing in Supreme Court is supposed to take place today.

According to an ANI report, in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court, the Centre said, "The NDMA recommends an amount of Rs 50,000 per deceased person including those involved in relief operations or associated in preparedness activities, subject to the cause of death being certified as COVID-19."

The ANI report further stated that the affidavit filed by Govind Mohan, working as Additional Secretary, in the Ministry of Home Affiars, said that with regards to such certification and redressal of any grievances regarding the same. guidelines were issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The affidavit further said that on the distribution of the amount, the concerned families will submit their claims through a form issued by the state authority along with specified documents including death certificate that certifies the death due to COVID-19.

The ANI report stated that the apex court had directed the central government to issue simplified guidelines for the issuance of an official document relating to COVID-19 deaths to the family members of the deceased, who died due to COVID-19.

Bansal had moved to the apex court seeking direction to the authorities concerned to provide an ex-gratia monetary compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of deceased, as per MHA letter in view of section 12 of the Disaster Management Act.

The petitioner had sought immediate appropriate directions to the concerned authorities to pay financial help as laid down by the central government in its statute and rules to the family members of the deceased who succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic.