Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 7: Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal today closed PIL seeking better care of old age homes with the observations that condition of the inmates or similarly located persons in the Union Territory can be taken care of by covering them under the umbrella of the schemes and by providing them shelter in one of the many homes set up in various parts.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, Division Bench observed, “a perusal of the record reveals that in connection with the aged and infirm persons several schemes at the national level have been initiated such as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme; Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme; Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, which are all part of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)”.
“The reports further reveal that sufficient number of composite home, rehabilitation home, orphanage, day care centres, Bal Ashrams, Nari Niketan, child care centres, observation homes, special homes and shelter homes have been established in various parts of the Union Territory”, the DB said, adding “this apart, many other schemes for the welfare of infirm, old, disabled and destitute persons have been initiated both at the national level and the state level”.
“These schemes cover all the needs of the inmates of the Vridh Ashram and that there may not be any need to monitor the progress of the conditions of the inmates. It is expected that in case of any necessity, any public spirited person or the Managing Committee of the Vridh Ashram or any inmate thereof may always come forward and raise grievance in case the conditions of the inmates are neglected”, the DB said.