Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 26: In a Public Interest Litigation filed by Viklang Chattra Trust regarding better care of old age home, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Masoodi today issued various directions to the different departments and said that if the funds for grant-in-aid to the homes were not released till next date of hearing Secretary Finance Department shall remain present in person.
When the PIL was taken-up, Division Bench observed, “in compliance to earlier directions, Secretary, Social Welfare Department has stated that after coming into the operation of Senior Citizens Act, two old age homes one each at Jammu and Srinagar would be opened at initial stage and later on one such home in each district in a phased manner is to be established for senior citizens”.
“For establishing composite home, the Secretary has stated that the department was still examining the cases in light of availability of land, funds for construction of infrastructure, recurring and non recurring expenditure and recruitment of the supporting staff”, the DB observed.
“The Director Health Services has stated that a team of doctors constituted on October 12, 2013 visited homes at Kathua, Udhampur and Jammu for the medical examination of the inmates and in some cases cataract surgery has been recommended and in some other cases physiotherapy is required to be given”, the DB said, adding “State counsel has stated that the date for pre-examination for cataract surgery has been fixed for Jammu and the same for other homes would be fixed within two weeks. With regard to the directions issued in respect of physically challenged persons like deaf and dumb and orphans staying in different homes, status report is awaited and the same shall be filed within two weeks”.
“About the grant-in-aid to the old age homes, the status report said that grant-in-aid has been released in favour of the Old Age Home Amphalla but not to other homes. In fact, their cases have not been received by the Social Welfare Department”, the DB observed.
Senior AAG Gagan Basotra, on the instructions from the Secretary to Government, Social Welfare Department, stated that no funds were available with the Social Welfare Department and the matter has been taken up with Finance Department for release of funds.
While taking statement of Senior AAG on record, the DB said, “we are constrained to observe that the stand taken by the respondent is unpalatable. M A Bhat appearing for the Finance Department undertook that before the next date of hearing the funds shall be released. If the funds are not released the Secretary Finance Department shall personally remain present to explain the default”.
The DB directed the counsel for the Finance Department to submit status report with regard to proposed legislation titled “Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act” before the next date of hearing. The DB also sought status report on the point raised by Advocate Suraj Singh vis-à-vis giving wide publicity to the schemes initiated by the Central and State Governments.
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