Ahmedabad: Gujarat on Tuesday noted the death of 10,100 ‘in the death of active Covid-19 patients.
Conversely, more than 22,000 relatives of those who have lost their lives during the pandemic have been paid by RS 50,000 EX Gratia, said the state government.
Rajendra Trivedi, Minister of Revenue State and Government spokesman, on Tuesday stated that the government has so far received around 38,000 applications for Ex Gratia.
The state government has transferred RS 50,000 in 22,000 accounts through direct benefit transfers, added trivedi.
When asked about the incompatibility between the official Covid-19 toll road and a much higher number of compensation claims, Trivedi said that one possible explanation, according to him, might be a difference in the criteria set by the State Committee to calculate Covid-19 death and the order was passed by the Supreme Court to provide compensation.
“The State Committee here has decided not to calculate death due to a heart attack or other organ failure because of Covid-19 and consider them as a separate case,” said Minister, referring to the ICMR guidelines followed by the state in categorizing Covid’s death.
“The Supreme Court, however, ordered all deaths within 30 days after positive testing for Covid-19 must be considered eligible for RS 50,000 compensation without considering anything else.
This is likely to cause numbers to increase, is what I understand especially,” said Trivedi.
‘Number is a manifestation of those who have a number of comorbidity paid from state disaster relief funds after notification by the state government.
Trived said that the remaining claim processing was taking place.
“If they are included in the compensation criteria arranged by SC, payment will be made.
The state government will continue to receive the application.
Compared to other states, Gujarat is at the forefront of providing the amount of ex Gratia,” said the spokesman.
It should be mentioned that SC has asked the countries to provide Ex-Gratia if the deceased was tested positive for Covid and died within 30 days of positive testing in the hospital or outside.
The patients who are recognized for more than 30 days are also considered for assistance along with those who have Covid as the cause of death in the death certificate.
The state government was brought to the task when the country established the Covid Death death committee to examine the cause of death.
After rebuking, the committee is removed and the process is simplified with an online application option.
Experts say that the increasing number of Covid death claims appears to be a manifestation of the death of patients with comorbidity which is not counted in official counting.
“This death together with them in a high-risk category because health or age conditions are not officially recognized.
Claims now reflect those numbers,” said a senior public health expert.