High Court Asks Delhi Govt To Bridge Digital Gap In Access To Online Welfare Schemes

The Delhi High Court today asked the Delhi government to take steps for enhanced accessibility of online government facilities, such as registration for housing welfare schemes, so as to ensure that services can be easily availed by persons not adept with technology, senior citizens, persons of disadvantaged groups, etc.

A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia orally suggested State counsel Sameer Vashishth to consider establishing e-kiosk facility/ help desks which assist citizens with accessing online government services, irrespective of the Department offering them.

"If the people, end user are unable to access these schemes...are you providing any assistance for accessing?...What are you doing to fill the digital gap? You are online but accessibility to somebody digitally challenged? There's a gap. Everybody may not be tech savvy. There's also angle of affordability. Everybody doesn't have laptop or smartphone..." the CJ told Delhi government.

The observation was made while dealing with a PIL alleging "systemic exclusion" of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and digitally disadvantaged Economically Weaker Section (EWS) applicants from access to welfare housing schemes.

The plea claimed that the schemes adopt an exclusively digital, English-only, first-come-first-serve (FCFS) allotment mechanism without providing reasonable accommodation or assisted access for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and digitally disadvantaged applicants.

During the hearing, the counsel appearing for DDA conceded that scheme was made available only in English and assured the Court that it will be made available in Hindi language as well, within a week.

The Court however told the counsel that the portal on which such schemes are uploaded should also be made "user friendly" and more accessible to end user.

The counsel responded that the interface is in fact accessible and in case of any issue, any person can visit help desks at Vikas Sadan. "Application form can be filled up and uploaded for them (citizens). They (Vikas Sadan) also operate a Helpline no. FAQs also provided. We also have public hearing days twice week- without appointment," she added. 

The Court at this juncture asked the counsel to submit a note on the steps taken by the Department. "We will incorporate it in our order along with directions for Hindi translation and priority (to senior citizens) on help desk," it said.

Turning to the Petitioner, the Court added, "We'll issue certain directions...the challenge of providing digital access to all, those who are having a gap, various government have taken various measures...in Delhi perhaps it is missing, there are kisosks which can be established by the government which are manned with computer system and anybody in need of such facility can visit such kiosk, get his work done free of charge. You can contemplate having such a PIL for issuing such directions."

Case Title: Aduram v. Union of India

Case No.: W.P.(C)-1152/2026