WP/7164/2026 of BARLA ARUNA KUMARI Vs UNION OF INDIA on 21 June 2026

1. BARLA ARUNA K AGED ABOUT 56 COLONY, RAJAMAHENDRAV

1. UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEA NEW DELHI -110 0

2. UNION OF INDIA SECRETARY AND HEALTH, NIRMAN

3. THE STATE OF A SECRETARY TO MEDICAL AND FA GUNTUR DISTRICT

4. THE DISTRICT CO Neutral Citation:____ s : : 22-06-2026 : 03-07-2026 E HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRAD AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) THE TWENTY SECOND DAY OF JUN O THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX PRESENT ABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMAL RIT PETITION NO: 7164/2026 KUMARI, W/O.LATE VENKATA SA YEARS, HOUSEWIFE, D.NO.72-39- PARK STREET, LA VARAM, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT AND A, REPRESENTED BY CHIEF ALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE, NIRM

11. A, REPRESENTED BY ADDITIO D MISSION DIRECTOR (9NHM), BHAVAN, NEW DELHI - 110 011. ANDHRA PRADESH REP, BY ITS GOVERNMENT OF A.P., DEPA AMILY WELFARE, SECRETARIAT, T - 522238. OLLECTOR, LAKSHMIVARAPU PET ______________

DESH

NE LAPATI ANYASI RAO, -3, CYCLONE ALACHERUVU, T, A.P. ...PETITIONER SECRETARY, MAN BHAVAN, NAL CHIEF MINISTRY OF S PRINCIPAL ARTMENT OF VELAGAPUDI, T, SESHAYYA

METTA, RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM - 533104, EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, A.P.

5. RAJAMANHENDRAVARAM MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, RAJAMANHENDRAVARAM REP. BY COMMISSIONER, NEAR GOKAVARAM BUS STAND, RAJAMANHENDRAVARAM - 533104 EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT, A.P.

6. THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR, (DCP) AND STATE NODAL OFFICER, (PMGKP), O/O. DIRECTOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND FINANCE WING, HIMAGNA TOWERS, OLD NRI BUILDING, SAIPURAM COLONY ROAD, GOLLAPUDI, VIJAYAWADA RURAL - 521125, A.P.

7. DISTRICT MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER, P.R.DEGREE COLLEGE ROAD, RAMA RAOPET, KAKINADA - 533001.

8. THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE COMPANY LTD, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN/MG.DIRECTOR,

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE BUILDING, 87, MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD, FORT, MUMBAI - 400001

9. DR J NARASIMHA NAIK MBBS DA, DISTRICT MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER, KAKINADA DISTRICT, KAKINADA. R9 IS IMPLEADED AS PER COURT ORDER DT.08.04.2026 ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus to declaring the inaction on the part of the respondents 4 to 7 in considering the petitioners application dt.06-11-2020 under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package vide D.O.No.F.No.Z-18016/1/2020 PMGKP- NHMIl dated 03-04-2020 as unjust and arbitrary and violative of Article 21 of Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to consider the application of petitioner and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2026 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the respondent 4 to 7 to process the petitioner’s application dt.06-11- 2020 forthwith and pass

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. NAQEEB AHMED Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR REVENUE

2. A S C BOSE (SC FOR MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS AP)

3. VENNA HEMANTH KUMAR(CENTRAL GOVERNMENT COUNSEL)

4. GP FOR MED HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

5. C PRAKASH REDDY

The Court made the following order:

Non-consideration of her application dated 06.11.2020 under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package vide D.O.No.F.No.Z-18016/1/2020 PMGKP-NHM II dated 03.04.2020 is the grievance of the petitioner.

2. Heard Sri Naqeeb Ahmed, learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri Venna Hemanth Kumar, learned Central Government Counsel appearing for respondent Nos.1 and 2, Sri P.Somaraju, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Medical and Health Department appearing for respondent Nos.3, 4, 6 & 7, Sri A.S.C.Bose, learned standing counsel for respondent No.5 and Sri C. Prakash Reddy, learned standing counsel for respondent No.8.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner, in elaboration to what has been stated in the affidavit, contended that the petitioner is the wife of the deceased Deputy Engineer, Public Health, Municipal Corporation of Rajamahendravaram, who lost his life while discharging duties connected with Covid-19 management as a supporting officer by virtue of the proceedings of the Superintending Engineer, Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation. He further submitted that the Government of India introduced ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Scheme, which provides insurance coverage of Rs.50 lakhs to the legal heirs of the health workers, who lost their lives due to Covid-19 while in service. According to the scheme, the insurance coverage is to be provided by respondent No.8 and the petitioner, being the legal heir of the deceased employee, is entitled to the insurance benefit. The petitioner submitted an application dated 06.11.2020 seeking payment of compensation under the scheme, however, the same has not been considered by the authorities. He further submitted that despite the issuance of a legal notice dated 06.04.2022, the respondent authorities have not passed orders on the petitioner’s application. He further submitted that it would suffice, if a direction is given to the respondent authorities to consider and dispose of the petitioner’s application for payment of compensation under the scheme in a time bound manner.

4. On the other hand, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Medical and Health Department, on instructions received from the District Medical & Health Officer, Kakinada District vide proceedings in Rc.No.12/IDSP- PMGKP/Covid-19/2026, dated 29.04.2026, submitted that petitioner’s application has been processed by the District Medical & Health officer, Kakinada and approved by the Collector & District Magistrate, Kakinada. He further submitted that the claim proposal was sent to respondent No.8-New India Assurance Company Limited, Vijayawada on 28.04.2026. Hence, prayed to pass appropriate orders in that regard.

5. Learned counsel for respondent No.8 submitted that the petitioner’s application has been received recently and is under process and therefore, sought eight weeks time for payment of compensation.

6. Perused the record and considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties.

7. The contention of the petitioner is that the petitioner’s application dated 06.11.2020 under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package was not considered by the respondent authorities, despite issuance of legal notice. Learned counsel for respondent No.8 submitted that the same is under process and sought eight weeks time for payment of compensation.

8. Taking the submissions of learned counsel for the parties into consideration and in view of the fact that the petitioner’s application is under process and respondent No.8 has expressed its willingness to consider and process the claim for payment of compensation under the above scheme, this Court is inclined to dispose of the Writ Petition with the following direction:

Respondent No.8 is directed to consider and process the petitioner’s application for payment of compensation in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

9. Accordingly, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

As a sequel thereto, interlocutory applications pending, if any in the Writ Petition, shall also stand closed. ___________________________ JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI 22.06.2026 MP Whether the order is: Speaking  Reasoned

Reportable

Non-reportable 

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI

WRIT PETITION NO:7164 of 2026 Date: 22.06.2026

MP