Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13:Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat today directed the Government to file response to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking enhancement of pension of disabled persons.
The announcement regarding enhancement of pension of disabled persons was made by the Government on the floor of the State Legislature but no formal order was issued in this regard till date.
This compelled the Chairman Disable Welfare Association to knock the doors of the High Court for implementation of the announcement.
In the PIL, it has been submitted that at present the pension of handicapped persons of J&K is too meager as compared to other states like Uttarakhand, which is paying Rs 800 to old age and handicapped persons and widows and Haryana, which is paying Rs 1000 to handicapped and Rs 800 to old and widows.
“Day by day the prices of daily use items and other things are increasing and it has become very difficult for the disabled persons to manage their daily life and they are waiting for enchantment of their pensions”, the PIL said.
After hearing the counsel for the PIL, the DB observed, “the counsel appearing for the Finance Department has sought one week’s time to get instructions regarding the enhancement of pension”. As such, the DB directed the Registry to list this case on February 16 when the Finance Department will convey its decision.