Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking enhancement of disabled persons pension, Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice N.Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat today expressed displeasure over the non-filing of the response by the Commissioner/ Secretary, Finance Department and granted last opportunity of one week for compliance of directions issued on February 9 failing which he shall appear in person.
When the PIL came up for hearing, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed submitted that no response has been filed by the Commissioner/Secretary to Government Finance Department in terms of the directions issued by the Division Bench on February 9, 2016. He further submitted that the instant letter turned PIL highlights the sorry state of affairs of disabled people who are just getting Rs 500 as disability pension introduced for them in the year 1995.
“The Social Welfare Department took up the matter with Finance Department vide UO No.SW/Lit/74/2014 dated March, 31, 2015 for concurrence in respect of enhancement of pension to be paid to the widows and physically challenged persons having a disability of 60% or more in the light of announcement made by the Government at the floor of the legislature”, he said, adding in the neighbouring States of Punjab, Himachal and Haryana the amount of disability pension stands already enhanced but there is no headway in the State of J&K.
After considering the submissions of Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, DB expressed its displeasure over the non-filing of the response. At this stage, Advocate M A Bhat appearing for Finance Department sought only week’s time to comply with the directions issued by the Division Bench on February 9, 2016.
Deputy Advocate General Ranjeet Singh Jamwal appearing for Social Welfare Department submitted that matter with regard to enhancement of disability pension stands already taken up with the Finance Department and their concurrence is awaited.
After hearing both the sides, the Division Bench granted last opportunity of one week to the Commissioner/Secretary, Finance Department to file his response failing which the Commissioner/Secretary, Finance Department was directed to appear in person.
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