Delhi; 15 March 2020 (UMM): Within hours after it made the announcement, BJP government in Delhi took a U-turn 14 March 2020 on ex-gratia relief of Rs 4 lakh to families of those who die of the novel coronavirus,
Prior to U-turn, the home ministry announced that it will treat COVID-19 as a notified disaster and provide assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). It announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for all coronavirus deaths and those involved in relief operations in the containment of COVID-19.
The notification also announced monetary assistance on hospitalisation costs for managing COVID-19 cases “at rates fixed by the state government”.
But, according to The Print, within hours a revised notification was released which said monetary help will now be extended for quarantine measures, sample collection and screening. Procurement of essential equipment and labs to contain the disease will also be covered under the SDRF.
The clause on ex-gratia and cost of hospitalisation of all coronavirus positive patients was deleted, reported The Print.
