NEW DELHI: The Centre advised the Supreme Court on Monday it has prioritised with its financial resources for investment in medical infrastructure, providing succour to migrant workers and marginalised segments of society and also providing stimulation to the market over giving you time ex gratia to the families of Covid-19 sufferers.
But, lawyer overall Tushar Mehta additionally informed the SC that the possibility of ex gratia has not yet been removed from the desk and also the government is still debating the quantity which can be paid to households of Covid-19 sufferers.
“Some strategy for ex gratia for many Covid sufferers is under consideration,” he explained.
Mehta told a seat of Justices Ashok Bhushan and M Shah,”It isn’t the event of the Centre which it doesn’t have capital to pay ex gratia to Covid sufferers, but it’s felt it might be better to utilize the sum to guarantee better wellbeing, meals, worldwide vaccination and stimulation for the market.
Meanwhile, the Centre has prioritised reduction of problems of the nation in high and investing in renovation of market and other actions as opposed to one-time financial damages.” The Centre’s affidavit had stated the Centre and countries whose financial resources were overstretched in battling the outbreak, can ill-afford charge of Rs 4 lakh ex gratia to families of Covid-19 sufferers.
The Centre stated,”Utilisation of rare resources for providing ex gratia might have the unfortunate effects of impacting the pandemic response and health cost and thus cause more harm than good.
It’s an unfortunate but significant truth that the sources of authorities have limitations and any extra weight through ex gratia may decrease the capital available for additional health and welfare strategies.” The Centre additional stre- ssed,”When the whole SDRF funds become absorbed on ex gratia to get Covid-19 sufferers, states might not have enough capital for organising Covid-19 answer, for supply of different essential health and other gear, or even to look after different disasters such as cyclones, floods etc..” Prior to booking the decision two petitions seeking payment of Rs 4 lakh compensation to tragedy victims according to the 2015 telling, which had been stopped from 2020, Justices Bhushan and Shah requested the SG if there may be a uniform coverage for reimbursement to Covid-19 sufferers across nations.