Important Notice: This scheme has now been discontinued.

In pursuance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in WP(C) No.539 of 2021 and WP(C) No. 554 of 2021, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has in accordance with recommendation issued by NDMA, decided to pay Ex-gratia amount of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) only from SDRF fund through DDMA to the deceased person including those involved in relief operations or associated in preparedness activities, subject to cause of death being certified as COVID-19.

The Governor, Assam is pleased to notify District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of all Districts as disbursement authority for the Ex-Gratia Assistance of Rs. 50,000/- to the Next of Kin of the deceased by COVID-19 under SDRF with reference to the Guidelines issued by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India.

As per the NDMA guideline and as decided by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the concerned families will submit their claims through online application form issued by State Authority along with specified documents including the death certificate that certifies the cause of death to be COVID-19. The DDMA will ensure that, the process of claim, verification, sanction, and the final disbursement of Ex-Gratia payment will be through a robust yet simple and people-friendly procedure. All claims must be settle within 30 days of submission of required documents and disburse through Direct Benefit Transfer Procedures.

The fund will be utilized from Head of Account 2245-Relief on account of Natural Calamities- 02- flood, cyclones etc.-101-Gratuitous Relief -2660-Gratuitous Relief (Pandemic i.e. COVID-19 etc.)-000-32-Grats in Aid-99-Others.

A Grievance Redressed Committee at District Level is also hereby constituted with the following members.

1. Additional Deputy Commissioner

2. Joint Director, Health Service

3. Superintendent of Civil Hospital

4. A Subject Expert

This Committee will address any grievances with regards to certification of the death, as prescribed in the MoHFW and ICMR guidelines and will propose necessary remedial measures, including issuance of amended official Document for COVID-19 death after verifying facts in accordance with these guidelines.

The Ex-gratia of Rs. 50,000/- under SDRF is over and above the ongoing state schemes for Covid-19 support, viz. “Prarthana” Scheme, “Chief Minister’s Covid-19 Widow Support Scheme” and “Chief Minister’s Sishu Seva Scheme”.

The scheme will also include NOK of COVID deceased not covered under the above mentioned ongoing Covid Support State Grant Schemes, subject to the guidelines issued by NDMA.

Eligibility

Copies of following documents along with claim form needs to be submitted:

I. Identity proof of nominated claimant

II. Any laboratory report certifying having tested positive for COVID-19

III. Death Certificate

IV. Next of Kin Certificate issued by the Deputy Commissioner

Guiding Principles for this assistance:

a) COVID-19 cases for the purpose of this claim are those which are diagnosed through a positive RT-PCR/Molecular Tests/RAT or clinically determined through investigations in a hospital/ In-patient facility.

b) Death occurring due to poisoning, suicide, homicide, death due to accident etc. will not be considered as deaths even if Covid-19 is an accompanying condition.