While there are allegations that families of many COVID-19 victims are running from pillar to post to get compensation of ₹50,000 announced by the Centre, as many as 878 families have refused to accept the compensation.
Officials in the Directorate of Social Security and Pensions revealed that these families refused the aid as they are “financially well off and hence, are not in need of the compensation.” None of them are from below the poverty line.
Over half (54%) of the 878 families are from BBMP limits in Bengaluru, followed by Kolar (55), Bengaluru Urban (38), Dharwad (31) and Hassan 926).
Satish Kumar D.M., Director of Social Security and Pensions, told The Hindu that apart from these 878 nearly 70 families did not have any legal heirs to claim the compensation. This is because all in the family would have died, he said.
“Besides, as many as 2,100 families are not traceable. Nearly 98% of such families are from urban areas including Bengaluru and BBMP limits, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Tumakuru and other municipal areas. We have found that they have not given their proper address and correct phone numbers,” the Director said.
Asserting that the officials are still trying to trace such families, Mr. Kumar said: “We have issued advertisements in media and appeals from the Chief Minister and other Ministers have also been published. Yet there is no response.”
“Around 400 families of persons who succumbed to COVID in Karnataka are residing in other States. We have transferred the details of these claims to the governments of those respective states,” the official said.
He said as per the deadline set by Supreme Court, families can still apply for compensation. Those who have died before March 20, have a 60-day cut-off time to apply for compensation and for all future deaths, people can apply within 90 days, the director added.
