Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 10: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice B L Bhat today expressed displeasure over the status report filed by the Director Health Services and Director Social Welfare Department over the plight of the inmates of Vridh Ashram.
After hearing Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi appearing for the PIL where as Senior AAG Gagan Basotra with Deputy AG Neeru Goswami for the State, the DB observed, “the Vridh Ashram Amphalla is a home for old age persons. It is that class of persons, who have been deserted by their own loved ones. The children, who have been brought up by these old aged persons, have in the hour of need shown their backs to them. These close relatives of old aged persons should not forget that they will have to face some consequences. The Karmas of the every human being rebound to them”.
While going through the status report of the Director Health Services, Division Bench observed, “it is shocking to notice that only once in a week, the medical team visits old age home. It is not even disclosed as to what is the composition of the team. Moreover, it is not even known as to whether any specialized doctors are part of the team”, adding “what is further shocking is that medicines which are available with the health team alone are provided to inmates of the old age home without appreciating the exact need of inmates”.
“The status report of Director Social Welfare is more shocking. It is stated that Rs 15 have been allocated to inmates of old age home out of which 50% is provided by Social Welfare Department. The respondent-authorities of the Government should have woken up to this sensitive call and had the introspection as to whether a person more particularly than an old age person can survive on a meager amount of Rs 7.5 per day”, the DB observed.
The DB directed Director Health services to constitute a team of doctors, which will include specialized doctors to visit Vridh Aashram in order to examine every individual inmate of old age home. “The team shall furnish observations to the Court in respect of every individual inmate. The team shall also state as to from which disease the inmates of old age home are suffering from. It shall also state as to what is treatment which is to be given to such type of patients”.
“The team shall further state what requirements of medicines are for inmates of old age home. The report shall be given to Director, Health Services within one day after its visit. The Director Health Services shall issue necessary orders for providing medical treatment and medicines to inmates of old age home within one week”, the DB said, adding “whatever, if the team finds that providing treatment and medicines do not fall within its scope, then without any further delay, the Director Health Services make arrangement for providing the same to the inmates. The status report will be filed by the Director Health Services within 10 days”.
The DB directed Chief Secretary to constitute a committee of officers within a week’s time to visit the home and make recommendations about the adequate and proper diet, which the inmates would need for keeping their flesh and blood together. The team shall also indicate as to whether all basic necessities of life are available to the inmates. “The report must disclose about hygienic conditions of home age. The team shall visit the old age home within two days after its constitution and report within three days to the Chief Secretary”, the DB said and directed Chief Secretary to take all necessary steps for implementing the recommendations of the committee and filed compliance report within three weeks.
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