Gandhinagar: After the Supreme Court's ruling, the Gujarat government had rolled out applications for the compensation to the relatives of covid-19 victims. The government had announced a relief money of 50,000 to each victim. The state government's official data says 10,100 deaths due to the pandemic. However, in contrast, the government has received 38,000 applications and ex-gratia through Direct Benefit Transfer in the accounts of 22,000 relatives have been released.
Rajendra Trivedi, State's Revenue Minister and Government Spokesperson said,"Till Tuesday, we have received 38000 applications for the ex-gratia and Rs 50,000 is released in 22000 accounts through DBT."
When questioned about the high contrast in the data, Trivedi said,"One possible reason according to him could be the difference in criteria. The government had not added deaths due to heart attacks or other body organ failures due to covid-19. However, the Supreme Court had directed to compensate everyone who passed away within 30 days of testing covid positive. This has resulted in the large number of victims."
When asked about the remaining applications, trivedi said,"we are still accepting applications and if they fall under the guidelines of the Supreme Court, we will transfer money in their accounts through DBT."
The state government was taken to task when the state established Covid Death Ascertaining Committee to scrutinise the cause of death. After reprimand, the committee was sacked and the process was simplified with the option of applying online.
The Supreme Court said today after Gujarat complained that the media has "misreported" the issue. Under-reporting of Covid deaths may or may not have happened and the only concern now is ensuring that compensations are paid to the maximum number of families who suffered.