Port Blair, Nov. 4: The District Administration, North & Middle Andaman has released Ex-Gratia Assistance to the kin of the deceased due to COVID-19 with the recommended amount of Rs. 50,000/- per deceased person as per the guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, in pursuance of Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgment in W.P. (C) No. 539 & 554 of 2021.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s Order dated 24.03.2022 had directed to fix the outer limit of the sixty days from 18.04.2022 to file the claims for compensation in case the death occurred due to COVID-19 prior to 20.03.2022. For further deaths, ninety day’s time is provided from the date of death due to COVID-19 to file the claim for compensation. However, it is clarified that, in case of extreme hardship, if any claimant could not make an application within the time prescribed, it will be open for the claimant to approach the Grievance Redressal Committee.

The District Office (N&MA) had received 15 applications which have crossed the ninety day’s time limit and to process these applications, a meeting of District Grievance Redressal Committee of North & Middle Andaman was held on 12.04.2023. The Committee has directed to ask for explanation for delayed submission of Ex-Gratia application from the claimant. Accordingly, explanations were sought from the claimants. The explanations were again presented before the District Grievance Redressal Committee for its consideration.

Accordingly, on consideration of the District Grievance Redressal Committee, the District Administration, North & Middle Andaman has sanctioned the Ex-Gratia Assistance to the tune of Rs. 7,50,000/- to the kin of all the 15 deceased due to COVID-19 and also handed over the Letter of Credit to the applicants in a simple function held at the Office of the Assistant Commissioner, Rangat and Diglipur on 25.10.2023 and 26.10.2023, respectively.