New Delhi, March 14 : The Supreme Court on Monday again expressed serious concern regarding the alleged misuse of its order to get ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 compensation for Covid-19 deaths on the basis of fake medical certificates. A Bench headed by Justice M R Shah, during the course of the hearing of the ex-gratia compensation case, hinted that it may order a probe into it by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). “We never visualised that this kind of fake claims could come. It’s a pious work. We never thought this scheme could be misused. And if officials are involved, it makes it even worse,” the Bench observed. The Bench had asked the on of India to file an affidavit enumerating suggestions for prescribing a limitation period for the purpose of applying for ex-gratia Covid-19 compensation by the next of kin of those persons who have succumbed to the deadly pandemic. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the on of India, stated that a fixed period such as four weeks from the date of death due to Covid be prescribed or fixed for the said purpose. The Bench of the Supreme Court pointed out that an appropriate affidavit containing suggestions on the said aspects was to be filed by the on of India and the matter was therefore adjourned on the last occasion. To this, Mehta assured the Bench that an affidavit will be filed in the next two days, to which, the Supreme Court fixed the matter for further hearing to March 21. Assam had filed an application seeking clarification of the order of January 19 to the extent that if a deceased has more than one child, will each child be entitled to get compensation separately? The Bench clarified that the earlier order was very clear and that the ex-gratia compensation to be paid is on a “per death” basis. The Bench further clarified that if there are more than one children, then only one child or family member shall be entitled to get compensation; if both parents have succumbed to the pandemic, then the compensation would be Rs 50,000 for each death. SM MR
