Autopsy is not compulsory for deaths that occurred due to heat wave. Instead, three-member committees comprising Tahsildar, government doctor and a Sub-Inspector of police constituted in all districts will ascertain the cause of death and submit a report to the government to pay an ex gratia of Rs.1 lakh to the family members, according to the Revenue Department officials.
The amount will be paid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). In its order issued two days ago, the government said that autopsy was not compulsory for the death occurred due to sunstroke. The panel members would be collecting details from the family members whether the deceased nursed any health problems previously.
They would also find out the place of death and in case if it had occurred in a hospital, they will collect details from duty doctors on possible reasons that led to the death. They should submit reports within three days after the death.
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“As of now, we are consolidating reports that are received from different places,” Prakasam District Revenue Officer Noor Basha Kasim. The district, when compared to other districts in the State, bore maximum brunt of the heat wave.
It tops the table with 305 deaths being officially confirmed with 28 more deaths reported from different parts of the district on Thursday. Instructions have also been issued to district Collectors to take necessary steps for early disbursal of ex gratia.
The government said that cases under the CMRF in respect of sunstroke deaths would not be considered under ‘Apathbandhu’ scheme to avoid double payment. In a review meeting held recently, Krishna District Collector Babu A. said labourers engaged under National Rural Employment General Scheme would be getting Rs.50,000 and another Rs.50,000 as compensation from the government if any worker died of sunstroke.
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