Covid ex-gratia gap: Central team to randomly screen 5% applications for false claims

“The team has come this week. It will take some time to conduct the checks as per the apex court directives,” said an officer from state relief and rehabilitation department. On March 24, SC asked the Centre to conduct an inquiry into fake claims for ex-gratia compensation meant for family members of those who died due to Covid. Also, it was instructed to verify 5 per cent of the total claims in four states — Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.

“Considering the 5 per cent, the team will have to scan over 12,500 applications. Earlier, the primary focus was on the applications pending or rejecteted by the district grievance redressal cell. But now, they have decided to screen even approved applications,” said the officer.

The discrepancy between approved applications for ex-gratia and the state’s official toll is because of the Supreme Court’s expansion of the denotation of Covid-19 death.

Last year, the Supreme Court expanded the ambit of Covid deaths in response to a petition filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal for ex-gratia compensation. The court ruled that deaths occurring within 30 days from getting tested or clinically determined as Covid-19 case shall be considered as Covid-19 deaths, even if they happened outside a health facility.

Along with this, the kin of victims of unnatural deaths, such as suicide, who tested positive for Covid posthumously will also be eligible for the ex-gratia.

“Due to this, we believe that many kin have taken advantage of the noble intention, thus raising the number of approved applications. Now, as the Central team is scrutinising the claims and appeals, it may help in bringing more transparency,” said an officer from state relief and rehabilitation department.

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