Congress has urged the Union government to release the actual COVID-19 death figures and give compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of the deceased.

There was complete mismanagement during the second wave, said the grand old party adding that families who lost loved ones were not even given the dignity of acknowledgement, as death certificates in several BJP states omitted coronavirus as the reason behind the death.

‘When it comes to people’s pain and loss, GOI is sleeping’

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also attacked the Narendra Modi-led BJP government.

Taking to his Twitter, the Wayanad MP said that when it comes to people’s pain and loss, GOI is sleeping.

Let’s wake them up, he tweeted.

“The no data available government, please tell the actual number of deaths in our country. Please tell the truth to our people, to the nation,” said Congress leader Sake Sailajanath.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday that death certificates indicating coronavirus deaths either already issued prior to coming into force government guidelines or as ratified by district committees shall be treated as a valid document for considering any death as death due to COVID-19.

Govt lays down guidelines for compensation for death due to COVID-19

Responding to a question on whether the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to pay compensation to deceased COVID-19 victims, Minister of State for Health, Bharati Pravin Pawar said in pursuance of the court judgment dated June 30, the government through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued ‘Guidelines to provide for ex-gratia assistance to the kin of the deceased by COVID-19’.

The NDMA has recommended Rs 50,000 per deceased person, including those involved in relief operations or associated with preparedness activities, subject to the cause of death certified as COVID-19, she said in a written reply.