Mumbai: With almost 1.4 lakh covid-19 death since the pandemic began, the Maharashtra government that lacks cash is looking at more payments than Rs 700 Crore in terms of compensation from the state disaster date funds (SDRF).
This, after the center of improving ex-gratia payments was rs 50,000 to the families of victims of Covid at the Supreme Court, to be paid by countries from the funds.
With SDRF it has stretched with payments for Covid assistance and natural disasters, the state is likely to ask the center to increase its contribution to SDRF, said the source.
SDRF received 75% of the funds from the center and 25% of the country.
The State Executive Committee (SEC), which manages the expenditure of the SDRF relief, is expected to be able to fulfill and see this problem.
Because Maharashtra records the highest number of Covid cases and deaths in this country, it is a country that will face the highest payment through SDRF.
SDRF around Rs 4,200 Crore.
From this, the state has spent around 1,600 crore rs in Covid assistance steps in various districts.
Also, the state has faced some natural disasters, which is paid from SDRF.
“After heavy rain and cyclone this year, SDRF faces big demands,” said a senior official.
Maharashtra has more debt than Rs 6 lakh crore and has bears the burden of a pandemic.
“Because it is the case before SC, we will be bound to provide payment.
But the SDRF will run out with payments for various natural disasters and the burden will come on the state budget,” said a senior official.
The center informs the Supreme Court on the amount of ex-gratia set by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The Supreme Court has encouraged the center to declare the amount of compensation because Covid has been declared a national disaster under the National Disaster Management Law.