Centre makes a u-turn on ex gratia payment to the families of coronavirus victims

The centre took a u-turn on Saturday, hours after it announced grant of ex gratia relief to the families of the those who died due to novel coronavirus.

While the Home ministry in its notification announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia for the families of deceased person and those involved in the relief operations in the containment of Covid-19, as it decided to treat Covid-19 as a notified disaster so that states can be provided aid under the ‘State Disaster Response Fund’ (SDRF).

Almost hours later it decided to do away with the monetary assistance for the deceased and for Covid positive person requiring hospitalisation.


According to the revised notification, the monetary benefit will now be eligible for measures for quarantine, sample collection and screening, Besides, procurement of essential equipment for response to Covid 19 will also be covered under SDRF.

SDRF is the primary fund available with states for responses to notified disasters like floods, earthquakes etc.

A state government may use up to 10 per cent of the funds available under the SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of an event which is considered to be a ‘disaster’ within the local context in the State.

Coronavirus, which erupted in Wuhan province of China in December, has claimed two lives in India so far while affecting 84 in the country.