Death from Corona: Why is the government afraid of compensation of 4 lakhs?

Death from Corona: Why is the government afraid of compensation of 4 lakhs?- The Central Government has told the Supreme Court that compensation of Rs 4 lakh cannot be given to the families of those who lost their lives from Corona. The Supreme Court had sought a response from the Central Government on the petition to give compensation to the families of those who died due to corona infection. The Central Government has given its reply by giving an affidavit in the Supreme Court.

What was said in the 187 page affidavit

The Central Government, in its reply, said that compensation for the death of every corona infected patient is beyond the financial capacity of the Center and the states. In the 187-page affidavit, it has been said on behalf of the central government that the financial burden on the central and state governments has already increased due to the disaster. On behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs, it has been said that under the Disaster Act, there is a natural disaster in which a total of 12 disasters like earthquake, flood. In which 4 lakh rupees are given on the death of someone under the State Disaster Relief Fund. The corona pandemic is different from that.

This reply was given on behalf of the ministry on the petition of Gaurav Bansal and Ripak Kansal. In the petition, it was requested to direct the Center and the states to give ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives due to infection under the Disaster Management Act of 2005 and adopt a uniform policy for issuance of death certificates. The Supreme Court had sought a response from the Central Government on the petition to give compensation to the families of those who died due to corona infection.

All funds will be spent on this

An epidemic that lasts for months and years cannot be compensated in such a situation. If compensation is given on death due to one disease and not on the other, it will be wrong. In the affidavit filed by Govind Mohan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, it was said that the central and state governments are facing financial crisis at this time. Income from tax collection has also come down due to Corona epidemic and expenditure on health services has increased.

It has been said by the Ministry of Home Affairs that the case of Corona is different from other disasters where daily expenditure, monitoring and priorities are changing. Under the State Disaster Relief Fund for the year 2021-22, a total of Rs 22 thousand 184 crore has been allocated to all the states. If a compensation of Rs 4 lakh is given only in the case of Corona, then the entire fund of the disaster fund will go to this only. Nothing will be left to make up for the second disaster. Along with this, the financial condition of the states will also get messed up.

Estimate how much expenses and when the disease cannot be estimated

It has been said in the affidavit that the Center and the states are already spending a lot on testing, treatment, hospital-medicine and vaccination of people regarding the corona epidemic. It is also not known how much more it will cost and how long it will last. It cannot be compared with any other disaster. It is not that there is no help from the government.

People of all income groups have been affected by this disease. The government is very serious about the people affected by Corona. All necessary measures and assistance are being provided. Health services are being increased. There have been more than 3,85,000 deaths due to the corona epidemic so far, which is likely to increase further.