The J&K government on Tuesday accorded sanction for an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 to next of kin of the deceased by Covid-19.As per the government order, a copy of which lies with news agency all deputy commissioners have been asked to constitute a committee headed by additional deputy commissioner of the district for redressal to any grievances with regard to the certification of the Covid death.”Sanction is hereby accorded to the adoption of the scheme for granting claim to the next of kin of the deceased by Covid-19 (under section 12 (iii) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 in pursuance to the guidelines issued by NDMA in compliance to the Supreme Court order,” reads the order.”Grant of claim to the next of kin of the deceased by Covid-19 as an ex-gratia assistance @ Rs 50000/- (Rs. Fifty Thousand Only) in terms of the items and norms of NDMA as per communication of MHA (Disaster Management Division),” It adds.”The implementation of the scheme shall commence immediately and shall be applicable to all deaths of Residents belonging to UT of J&K, that occur due to Covid-19,” the order reads.”The eligibility of case(s) under the scheme shall be verified through the database created by Health & Medical Education Department, Government of J&K and duly certified by the designated Medical Authority for the purpose in accordance with the SOP notified by the Health & Medical Education Department, Government of J&K,” it said.”Wide publicity shall be given to the scheme by the concerned Deputy Commissioners (Chairman, District Disaster Management Authority) Health and Medical Education Department to ensure saturation of the scheme within a period of two months,” the order said.”All Deputy Commissioners shall put a robust yet simple mechanism in place for DBT disbursement of the ex-gratia Assistance based on the process, all Deputy Commissioners shall issue an appropriate order for constitution of a District Level Committee (DLC) for redressal to any grievance(s) with regard to the certification of the Covid death. The committee shall consist of Additional Deputy Commissioner of the concerned District and Principal of Government Medical College/Chief Medical Officer of District,” order adds.As per order the terms and conditions of the District Level Grievance Committee shall be to verify the authenticity of the Covid-19 death as per the MoHFW and ICE guidelines, propose necessary remedial measures including amended certificate of Covid death and detail appropriate administrative resources to verify facts in accordance with to guidelines issued for Covid-19 related deaths.It is pertinent to mention that around 4476 persons have died of Covid-19 in J&K so far. (KNO)
