India's top court grants govt 6 weeks to decide on compensation for kin of COVID-19 victims

NEW DELHI - India's top court Wednesday granted the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) six weeks to frame guidelines to pay ex-gratia compensation to the kin of those who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

The court was hearing petitions seeking directions to the federal government to provide compensation of INR 400,000 ($5,382) to each family that lost a member due to the pandemic.

"We direct NDMA to form guidelines for ex-gratia compensation for family members of persons who succumbed to COVID-19, as per minimum standards of relief," the Supreme Court in its order said. "What reasonable amount is to be provided is left to the wisdom of the authority."

The apex court said as per the Disaster Management Act, "minimum standards of relief" which includes payment of financial assistance is mandatory and not discretionary.

The direction has come as a huge relief for victim families.

Earlier this month the federal government told the court such compensation could not be paid as it applied only to natural disasters. The government also said states could not afford to pay INR 400,000 to every family.

India's federal health ministry Wednesday morning said so far 398,454 people have died due to COVID-19 in the country.