AGARTALA / NEW DELHI, Jan 19 (TIWN): In a major relief for Corona-virus death victims, Supreme Court of India has approved Rs. 50,000 for Covid deaths. Slamming the State Govts of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar for not complying with the directions to pay ex-gratia compensation to the kin of persons who succumbed to COVID-19, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Chief Secretaries of both the States to remain to appear before it virtually at 2 PM today.

"It is very unfortunate that despite earlier direction to pay compensation to the kin/family member of the person who died due to COVID-19 and time and time and again directions are issued…Total callousness on part of the State of Andhra Pradesh. Against 14471 cases recorded after an earlier order passed by this court approximately 36,000 claims were received. Unfortunately, according to the Counsel approx 31,000 application are found to be in order, but only 11,000 claimants have been made payment. There is no justification for not making payment to the people. Not making payment to eligible claimants would tantamount to disobedience of our earlier order…for which the Chief Secretary is liable for action under Contempt of Courts Act. Let the Chief Secretary remain present virtually at 2 o'clock today and show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him…"
"Call your Chief Secretary to remain present. We are not ready to accept that only 12000 had died in Bihar", Justice Shah asked Bihar's counsel.

Earlier, the bench had directed the States to give wide publicity to the application process in print, electronic and social media so that the families of victims are made aware of the compensation scheme.