"It is impossible to valuate life, government''s compensation is only a small help, but the Modi government is not ready to even do that," he said.

"First the lack of treatment during the Covid pandemic and then the false figures and on top of that the government''s cruelty," he said in a tweet in Hindi.

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh cannot be paid to the families of those who have died of COVID-19 as it is beyond fiscal affordability and the finances of central and state governments are under severe strain.