G.O. (Ms) No.831, Ex-gratia Payment to Next of Kin of the Deceased Due to COVID-19
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Disaster Management Wing, Government of Tamil Nadu, issued G.O. (Ms) No.831 on 3 December 2021, amending G.O. (Ms) No.380 dated 27 October 2015 to provide ex-gratia assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund to the next of kin of people who died due to COVID-19. It fixes the assistance at Rs.50,000 per deceased person, subject to certification of the cause of death and specified exclusions.
What the government order changes
G.O. (Ms) No.831 of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Disaster Management Wing, adds COVID-19 death assistance under the heading “Gratuitous Relief” in the revised list of items and norms for disaster response assistance. It amends G.O. (Ms) No.380 dated 27 October 2015.
The amendment follows directions of the Supreme Court of India and guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority. It provides financial relief to the next of kin of a person whose death is certified as caused by COVID-19.
Amount and conditions
The assistance provided by G.O. (Ms) No.831 is subject to these conditions:
- The amount is Rs.50,000 per deceased person.
- The benefit includes deaths of people involved in relief operations or associated with preparedness activities, subject to the stated exclusions.
- The cause of death must be certified as COVID-19 under the guidelines jointly issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Indian Council of Medical Research on 3 September 2021.
- Expenditure must be met only from the State Disaster Response Fund.
- Payment must strictly comply with the National Disaster Management Authority guidelines dated 11 September 2021.
- The assistance applies from the date of the first COVID-19 case reported in India.
- It continues until COVID-19 is de-notified as a disaster or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
Exclusions
G.O. (Ms) No.831 excludes people who have already received COVID-19 death assistance under the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund in the categories listed in the amendment. These are frontline workers who received Rs.25 lakh, children who lost both parents and received Rs.5 lakh, and children who lost one parent and received Rs.3 lakh.
Administration and practical effect
G.O. (Ms) No.831 directs District Collectors to use the provisions available under TR 27 to provide immediate relief to COVID-19 victims. District Collectors are therefore responsible for arranging the drawal of funds for eligible payments.
The amendment concerns disaster relief following a COVID-19 death. It does not contain provisions about land ownership, property registration, land classification or land transactions.
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Common questions
How much assistance is available for a certified COVID-19 death?
The next of kin may receive Rs.50,000 per deceased person, subject to the certification requirements, exclusions and National Disaster Management Authority guidelines stated in G.O. (Ms) No.831.
What proof is required that the death was due to COVID-19?
The cause of death must be certified as COVID-19 under the guidelines jointly issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Indian Council of Medical Research on 3 September 2021.
Can a family receive this payment after already receiving COVID-19 assistance from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund?
Not in the excluded categories listed in G.O. (Ms) No.831. These include specified payments to frontline workers and to children who lost one or both parents.
Does G.O. (Ms) No.831 affect my land or property transaction?
No land or property transaction rules are included. G.O. (Ms) No.831 concerns ex-gratia disaster relief for the next of kin of people who died due to COVID-19.
