High court
Orissa High Court Directs State Government to Provide Compensation to Kin of Covid-19 Victims
Background: The Orissa High Court has been dealing with a PIL filed by a group of petitioners, seeking to provide compensation to the kin of Covid-19 victims in the state. The petitioners have argued that the state government has failed to provide adequate compensation to the families of the victims, despite the provisions of the Disaster Management Act. Parties: The petitioners in the case are a group of individuals, while the respondents are the state of Orissa and the central government. Legal issues: The main legal issue in the case is whether the state government has failed to provide adequate compensation to the kin of Covid-19 victims. The petitioners have argued that the government is bound by the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, which mandates the provision of compensation to the victims of disasters, including pandemics. Court observations: The Orissa High Court has observed that the state government has failed to provide adequate compensation to the kin of Covid-19 victims. The court has directed the government to provide compensation to the families of the victims, holding that the failure to do so is a violation of the constitutional rights of the victims. The court has also warned the government that failure to comply with its order will result in contempt proceedings. Significance: The order of the Orissa High Court is significant as it will ensure that the kin of Covid-19 victims in the state receive adequate compensation, which will help them to cope with the loss of their loved ones. The court's decision will also have implications for other states, as it will set a precedent for the provision of compensation to the victims of pandemics.
