Covid-19: SC asks govt to frame guidelines on death certificates by Sept 11

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 3

Expressing displeasure over delay in framing guidelines for issuance of death certificates to the families of those who died of Covid-19, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre to do it by September 11.

“We passed the order a long time back. We have already extended the time once. By the time you frame the guidelines, the third phase will also be over,” a Bench led by Justice MR Shah told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who said everything is under consideration.

Petitioner advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal pointed out that the court has already granted four-week extension to the Centre on August 16 to frame guidelines for ex-gratia compensation and now it is seeking more time.

The first direction in this regard was passed on June 30 and the extended time was scheduled to end on September 8.

On the issue of compensation, the court said it’s for the Centre to take a decision within this period as it adjourned the hearing to September 13 for compliance of other directions.

The top court had on June 30 directed the National Disaster Management Authority to recommend within six weeks appropriate guidelines for ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life to the family members of persons who died due to Covid-19.

It had also ordered steps to simplify guidelines for issuance and correction of death certificates/official documents, stating the exact cause of death, that is, ‘Death due to Covid-19’ for enabling dependents to get benefits of welfare schemes.

Earlier, the Centre had sought more time to frame the guidelines on the ground that the exercise which was in active consideration of the NDMA was at an advanced stage and required an in-depth examination.