Supreme Court Acts Suo Motu For Welfare Of Visually Impaired Man & Mother Living In Poverty; Issues Directions To Odisha Govt

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the State of Odisha to ensure that all social security benefits and basic amenities are extended to a visually impaired man, Japa Bhue, and his 80-year-old mother, Radhika Bhue, who, according to media reports, have been living in extreme poverty.A bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana sought detailed compliance reports on the welfare measures provided to them and issued notice in a suo motu case registered yesterday titled, “In Re: Ensuring Basic Human Dignity And Social Security For Differently Abled Citizens Living In Extreme Poverty And Other Ancillary Issues”.“We are, however, concerned about the sustenance and the dignified life of Jape Bhue and his mother Jape Bhue, who is blind by birth, and his mother Srimati Radhika Bhue…The State of Odisha and its authorities are directed to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to Shrimati Radhika Bhue and her son Japa Bhue till further orders”, the Court observed.During the hearing, counsel appearing for the State of Odisha informed the Court that a dwelling unit had reportedly been allotted to Radhika Bhue, the mother of Japa Bhue, who is visually impaired since birth. She also submitted that dwelling units had been allotted to Japa Bhue's brothers.The Court observed that its concern was with the sustenance and dignified life of Japa Bhue and his mother, Radhika Bhue, who is blind by birth and is about 80 years old.The Court directed the State of Odisha to file an affidavit through an officer not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary stating whether any old-age pension has been granted to Radhika Bhue, the amount being paid to her, and whether all arrears have been released. The State also has to clarify the other social security benefits and welfare schemes to which she is entitled under Central and State Government schemes and whether those benefits have been extended to her.The Court further sought details regarding Japa Bhue's entitlement to disability pension and whether such pension has been granted. The State was directed to disclose the other welfare benefits available to him and whether those benefits have been provided.The Court also directed Aravind Patnaik, Member Secretary of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA), to personally interact with the family.The Court directed that, if any immediate medical assistance was required for Radhika Bhue or her visually impaired son, the district legal services authorities should coordinate with the Chief Medical Officer and make necessary arrangements.The Court also directed that Japa Bhue be engaged as a para-legal volunteer to work towards sensitising specially abled persons about their rights and the benefits available under various Central and State Government welfare schemes. The Court further directed that he be paid an honorarium, which shall not be less than the minimum wages notified by the State of Odisha under the Minimum Wages Act.The Court directed the Odisha State Legal Services Authority to submit a separate report regarding the social security measures extended to Radhika Bhue and Japa Bhue, including the allotment of any dwelling unit. The Court observed that, prima facie, Japa Bhue appeared entitled to a separate dwelling unit and directed the legal services authority to examine the issue under the applicable government schemes. If found eligible, the matter should be taken up with the State Government for grant of appropriate relief.The Court further directed the State of Odisha and its authorities to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to Radhika Bhue and Japa Bhue until further orders. The status report to be filed before the Court must provide complete details of the benefits extended to both of them.During the hearing, counsel for Odisha submitted that Radhika Bhue was receiving a monthly pension of Rs. 3,500 and that Japa Bhue was also receiving Rs. 3,500 as disability pension. She further informed the Court that they were receiving free rice under a government scheme.The Court recording the submission but directed the authorities to verify these claims.The Court listed the matter in the third week of July directing the State to grant all eligible benefits and file compliance reports by then.The proceedings stem from reports highlighting the condition of Japa Bhue, a visually impaired resident of Bagadia village in Odisha's Subarnapur district, and his elderly mother Radhika Bhue. Media reports stated that the two were living in a dilapidated house and were struggling despite being eligible for welfare benefits. The reports also stated that they were receiving pension and food-grain assistance but had not secured the full range of social security measures available under government schemes. Following the reports, local authorities initiated inquiries into their entitlement to housing and other welfare benefits.Advocate-on-Record Mithu Jain and Advocate Shailja Singh appeared for the State of...

Supreme Court Acts Suo Motu For Welfare Of Visually Impaired Man & Mother Living In Poverty; Issues Directions To Odisha Govt

Amisha Shrivastava

This is a premium content
Available exclusively to
Our subscribers

INR 1099+GST

Tags

Amisha Shrivastava

Supreme Court Acts Suo Motu For Welfare Of Visually Impaired Man & Mother Living In Poverty; Issues Directions To Odisha Govt

Amisha Shrivastava

This is a premium content Available exclusively to Our subscribers

INR 1099+GST

Tags

Amisha Shrivastava

This is a premium content
Available exclusively to
Our subscribers