Rajasthan High Court Demands Answers Over Delayed Covid-19 Compensation
The Rajasthan High Court has taken a firm stance against senior state authorities, issuing formal notices concerning the alleged non-payment of a substantial Rs 70 lakh special ex-gratia compensation. This compensation is owed to the family of a government employee who tragically lost her life after contracting Covid-19 while performing her official duties during the pandemic.
Court Order and Legal Proceedings
A single bench presided over by Justice Anand Sharma delivered this significant order on March 17, with the official copy being made public on Tuesday. The order was issued during the preliminary hearing of a petition filed by Vijay Kumar Bhartiya, a resident of Housing Board in Tonk. Bhartiya was represented in court by his advocate, Laxmikant Sharma.
The court has directed several high-ranking officials to submit their detailed replies within a strict timeframe of four weeks. Those summoned include the Principal Revenue Secretary, the Principal Finance Secretary, the Tonk district collector, and the Tonk tehsildar. Furthermore, the court mandated that a complete copy of the petition be provided to Additional Advocate General G S Gill to ensure proper legal representation for the state.
Details of the Case and the Deceased Employee
According to the petition presented in court, the case revolves around Geeta Devi, the mother of the petitioner. Geeta Devi was employed as a senior assistant at the Tehsil Office in Tonk. During the height of the Covid-19 crisis, she was assigned to work at a pandemic control room, a critical frontline duty.
"She contracted the infection during the course of her duty and later died on November 24, 2020, while undergoing treatment at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jaipur," advocate Sharma stated, outlining the tragic circumstances of her death.
Legal Basis for the Compensation Claim
The petition firmly establishes the legal entitlement to the compensation. It cites a Finance Department order dated April 11, 2020, which explicitly entitles the families of state employees who died due to Covid-19 contracted during official duty to a sum of Rs 50 lakh as special ex-gratia compensation.
In addition to this, an extra Rs 20 lakh is payable under Rule 75(1)(a) of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1996. This brings the total rightful entitlement for the family to a significant ₹70 lakh.
Alleged Administrative Delays and Inaction
Despite this clear entitlement, the petition alleges a prolonged and frustrating delay in payment. "Despite repeated representations since 2020, the compensation has not been released," Sharma argued before the court.
The legal submission highlights that a committee, constituted under the chairmanship of the sub-divisional officer in Tonk, had already recommended the payment of the ex-gratia amount on May 14, 2025. Supporting this, a subsequent letter dated July 1, 2025, also formally acknowledged the petitioner's eligibility and urged the district administration to release the funds. However, the Rs 70 lakh compensation remains unpaid to this day.
Aggrieved by this persistent administrative delay, the petitioner approached the Rajasthan High Court seeking judicial intervention. The plea requests the court to issue directions for the immediate release of the full Rs 70 lakh amount, along with applicable interest for the period of delay.
After a thorough hearing of the arguments, the court has issued the notices and set a four-week deadline for the concerned authorities to respond, marking a crucial step towards justice for the aggrieved family.
