04 September,2021 07:22 AM IST | New Delhi | Agencies
A man mourns over the body of his mother, who died of Covid-19, at a graveyard in Srinagar, on April 26, 2021. Pic/AFP
The Supreme Court Friday expressed displeasure over delay in framing guidelines for issuance of death certificates to the families of those who died of COVID-19 and directed the Centre to file a compliance report by September 11. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, assured the court that everything is under consideration. Advocate Sumeer Sodhi, who appeared for some of the applicants, said extended time for the first direction passed on June 30 is getting over on September 8.
We passed the order a long time back. We have already extended the time once. By the time you frame the guidelines, the third phase will also be over", a bench comprising Justices M R Shah and Aniruddha Bose observed. Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, who has filed the petition, submitted that under the pretext of consideration things should not be delayed as the top court has already granted four-week extension to the Centre on August 16 to frame guidelines for ex-gratia compensation and now it is seeking more time.
The SC said it is for the Centre to take a decision on compensation and that it was adjourning the matter only for compliance with its other directions
The bench said it is for the Centre to take decision on compensation within that period of time and today it was adjourning the matter only for the purpose of compliance with other directions.
"Put up on September 13 as Solicitor General seeks time to enable Union Of India to comply with earlier order and place on record compliance report of other directions issued by this court on June 30, 2021. Compliance report to be filed with the registry on or before September 11," the bench said.
The SC had in its June 30 verdict directed the National Disaster Management Authority to recommend within six weeks appropriate guidelines for ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life to the family members of persons who died due to COVID-19.
Lakhs of people have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic hit the country in March last year. As of Friday morning data of the Centre, the toll has risen to 4,39,895 with 366 fresh fatalities. The government has added 45,352 new cases reported in a span of 24 hours. The number of active cases has also risen by 10,195 to 3,99,778.
A 19-year old daily wage worker was administered two doses of Covishield vaccine in a short span of time at a crowded vaccination camp in Sullia taluka of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. Taluka health officer Dr B Nandakumar said officials have been keeping a check on him at his home since Wednesday and no adverse effect was reported till late Thursday. After taking the first dose, K B Arun waited in the room when the same health assistant administered him the second dose.
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed for a week Kerala government's decision to conduct offline exams for Std XI commencing from September 6 amid the rising cases of COVID.
"There is an alarming" situation in the state owing to COVID-19, observed the SC, adding that Kerala has been reporting about 70 per cent cases in the country daily. "Children of this age cannot be exposed to this risk."
A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, Hrishikesh Roy and C T Ravikumar posted the matter for next hearing on September 13. The Kerala High Court had earlier observed that conducting examination was a matter of government policy and no interference was warranted. Advocate Rasoolshan A then challenged HC's decision in the SC.
Meanwhile, Kerala health minister Veena George raised the issue of shortage of Covishield vaccine. "The state is once again facing vaccine shortage. Almost all districts are suffering the scarcity. The Centre has been asked to provide more vaccine doses for the smooth continuation of the drive," George said, adding that the state has only 1.4 lakh doses of Covishield. Agencies
3,29,03,289
Total no. of Coronavirus cases in india so far
4,39,895
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far
3,99,778
Total no. of active cases in India
September 11
Day by which the Centre has to file compliance report
