Topic
Gauhati HC clarifies that ex-gratia compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is payable only if death occurs due to a notified natural calamity like floods, not incidental accidents during adverse weather. The ruling underscores strict interpretation of SDRF guidelines, impacting disaster relief claims across Assam.
Andhra Pradesh High Court rules that banks cannot proceed with SARFAESI auctions without first considering bona fide loan rescheduling requests from borrowers affected by natural calamities. The judgment reinforces RBI guidelines on procedural fairness, requiring banks to assess financial distress before enforcing security interests.
Chhattisgarh High Court rules that drowning in any water body, including agricultural fields, falls under the Revenue Book Circular's natural calamity coverage. Medical evidence of drowning overrides administrative assumptions about water depth, entitling dependents to Rs. 4,00,000 ex gratia payment.
Himachal Pradesh High Court rules that RBI’s 2013 Master Circular on loan restructuring due to natural calamities is legally binding on cooperative banks, mandating relief even if initially denied. The judgment reinforces RBI’s regulatory authority over cooperative banks and ensures borrowers affected by disasters receive statutory protection against NPA classification.