Kochi, Nov 16 (PTI) A plea was moved in the Kerala High Court on Tuesday urging it to declare that family members of non-resident Keralites who died abroad due to COVID-19 should also be entitled to the ex-gratia relief of Rs 50,000.

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The petition, by NGO Pravasi Legal Cell, contends that applications for the ex-gratia relief by family members of Keralites who died abroad due to COVID-19 were being "arbitrarily" denied by the state government.

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The reason given by the state government for denying such applications was that the scheme was applicable only for COVID-19 deaths in India, the petition, filed through advocate E Adithyan, claims.

"It is submitted that the poor migrants who went to foreign countries solely for the purpose of finding a living abroad to support their family members in Kerala and unfortunately succumbed to COVID-19 definitely require a sympathetic view.

"... any discrimination against the family members who lost their dear and near ones abroad is a clear violation of their Fundamental Rights," the plea said.

It also said that a representation on the issue was sent to the state government, but no response has been received till now.

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