₹4 lakh cannot be paid for covid deaths as it is beyond fiscal affordability, and the finances of Central and state governments are under severe strain.
Dissatisfied with these submissions, the bench underlined that section 12 of the DMA used the word ‘shall’ twice in propounding that guidelines have to be made “ex gratia assistance on account of loss of life", damage to houses and restoration of means of livelihood. “Therefore, it is the statutory duty cast upon the National Authority to recommend guidelines for the minimum standards of relief to be provided to persons affected by disaster, which shall include the reliefs, as stated hereinabove.