"Ridiculous," says Supreme Court after three states fail to deliver COVID-19 compensation

Delays in the delivery of COVID-19 compensation has earned state governments the ire of the Supreme Court, with the country's apex institution terming the situation "ridiculous."

The governments of Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Rajasthan were pulled up by a two-judge bench of Justices MR Shah and BV Nagarathna, after they failed to deliver the Rs 50,000 payments the court had mandated in the month of October.

"We are not at all happy with the affidavit filed by the Maharashtra government. Over one lakh deaths have been recorded in Maharashtra but only 37,000 applications were received. Not a single person has been paid compensation yet," said Justice Shah.


Beside the reprimand, the state governments have been asked by the Supreme Court to start making payments immediately.

In addition, the apex court chided the governments for setting up portals for compensation only after being ordered to do so. "Tell your government to be human," the bench told the Rajasthan government's lawyer. The state has recorded 9,000 COVID-19-related deaths, but there have only been 595 applications for compensation.

The situation is similar in West Bengal, with 467 applications registered despite close to 19,000 deaths being recorded.

All three governments have been directed to ensure their citizens are made aware of the compensation available to them and are encouraged to apply for their money.

The next hearing in the matter will take place on December 10.