The High Court of Manipur bench comprising Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar and Justice MV Muralidaran on Tuesday issued a notice to the state government to file its reply on the issue raised in a public interest litigation filed before the court for non-implementation of the Supreme Court's direction to provide ex-gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 to the family members of the person who died due to COVID-19.
The public interest litigation was filed by Keisham Pradipkumar, former member of Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), seeking direction to the state to pay Ex-Gratia assistance to the next of kin of the deceased who died due to COVID-19 in accordance with the guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management authority and to make publication without further delay in the interest of the people of Manipur.
It was stated in the petition that the state government failed to implement the direction issued by the Supreme Court to the National Disaster Management Authority for recommending guidelines for ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life to the family members of the person who died due to COVID-19, as mandated under Section 12 (ii) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 for the minimum standard of relief to be provided to the persons affected by the pandemic.
Subsequently, the National Disaster Management Authority framed guidelines for payment of Ex-Gratia assistance of Rs 50,000 only to the next of kin of those who died of Covid and the same has been forwarded to all the chief secretaries/ administrators of States and UTs through a forwarding letter on September 11, 2021.
On October 4, 2021, the Supreme Court of India had issued 11 directions to all states, including Manipur, for disbursing the ex-gratia assistance
The petitioner submitted a representation on October 22 to the authorities for implementation of the directions of the Supreme Court but no action was allegedly taken.
It may be mentioned that with reference to the Supreme Court’s order, Pradipkumar sent a letter mentioning that full particulars and address of the District Disaster Management Authority/District Administration of 16 districts of Manipur required for disbursement of the ex-gratia assistance is not published in the print and electronic media by the government of Manipur till date.
He urged the authorities concerned to comply with the direction issued by the Supreme Court of India. thereby issuing necessary orders to make publication of the required full particulars and addresses of the authorities concerned. He further urged to prescribe a robust yet simple and people-friendly application form without further delay in the interest of the people of Manipur.
