[COVID-19] Create online portal and publicise compensation scheme for deaths: Supreme Court to States

The Supreme Court on Monday directed each state government to create a portal to facilitate compensation for COVID-19 deaths (Gaurav Kumar Bansal v Union of India & Ors)..The Bench of Justices MR Shah and BV Nagarathna also directed wide-scale publicity of the compensation scheme for family members of those who lost their lives to the Coronavirus.."The villagers should not have to come to city area and, avoid long queues at collector's or mamlukdar's office. SG Tushar Mehta has stated that necessary steps will be taken by Gujrat and they will come out with a portal to process compensation. All necessary documents shall also be filed online. SGI says the same can be made applicable pan India. Appropriate orders can be passed after hearing concerned states so uniform procedure for compensation can be implemented throughout India," the Court stated..During the hearing, the Bench noted that applications received for compensation are on the lower side."It can be presumed that there is no wide publicity given by the concerned state with respect to compensation schemes," it observed..It was noted that Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Ladakh, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura and Maharashtra had not provided any information on the compensation scheme to the Central government, despite being specifically asked to do so.Hence, the Court instructed that the schemes be publicised and the Ministry of Home Affairs be informed whether the portals for filing applications and disbursing compensation are active. The Bench also directed the Chief Secretaries of the aforesaid states and union territories to submit affidavits on the status of the scheme..An advocate's request for appointment of an Amicus Curiae to monitor the case was declined."Mr. Mehta will act as Solicitor-General, as a citizen and monitor this," the Court stated..Story to be updated.