Supreme Court steps in to aid visually impaired man and elderly mother in extreme poverty

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Odisha government in a suo motu case concerning the welfare and social security of a visually impaired man living in extreme poverty and directed the state authorities to ensure that all basic amenities are provided to him and his elderly motherA bench of Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana passed the directions in the matter titled In Re Ensuring Basic Human Dignity and Social Security for Differently Abled Citizens Living in Extreme Poverty and Other Ancillary IssuesDuring the hearing counsel appearing for the state informed the apex court that a dwelling unit had been allotted to Radhika Bhue the mother of visually impaired Japa Bhue and that separate dwelling units had also been assigned to his two brothersThe state government further informed the top court that Radhika Bhue receives Rs 3500 per month as oldage pension while Japa Bhue is paid an equal amount as disability pension apart from receiving free rice under a government welfare schemeHowever the Supreme Court said that its primary concern was the sustenance and dignified life for Japa Bhue who has been blind since birth and his 80yearold mother Radhika BhueSeeking a detailed response the CJI Kantled Bench directed the Odisha government to file an affidavit through an officer not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary disclosing whether all pension arrears and other social security benefits due to the mother and son have been releasedIt also sought details regarding welfare schemes available to Japa Bhue as a person with visual impairment and whether he has been granted all benefits to which he is entitledIn its order the Supreme Court said that it was necessary to ascertain ldquowhat are the other benefits under the social welfare schemes to which Japa Bhue is entitled and whether such benefits have also been granted to him or notThe CJIled Bench also directed the Odisha State Legal Services Authority OSLSA to immediately visit the family and assess their conditionRecording the presence of OSLSA Member Secretary Aurbindo Pattanaik through video conferencing the apex court ordered that the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority concerned visit the family during the course of the day and interact with themIn the event any immediate medical assistance is required for Radhika Bhue or her visually impaired son Japa Bhue the District Legal Services Authority of the concerned District shall in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer of the area make necessary arrangements the order saidFurther the bench asked the State Legal Services Authority to submit a separate report regarding housing benefits available to the familyPrima facie it appears that Japa Bhue is entitled to a separate dwelling unit and this aspect should be especially examined by the State Legal Services Authority in terms of the Government scheme it observed adding that if Japa Bhue is found entitled to such a benefit the matter should be taken up with the state government for the grant of appropriate reliefDirecting immediate intervention the apex court ordered that the State of Odisha and its authorities are directed to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to Radhika Bhue and her son Japa Bhue till further ordersThe matter has been posted for further consideration on July 13In its order the apex court directed that Japa Bhue be engaged as a paralegal volunteer to help create awareness among differentlyabled persons about their rights and welfare entitlementsJapa Bhue who is a visually impaired person is directed to be engaged as a paralegal volunteer especially for the purpose of sensitising differently abled persons of their rights and benefits under various schemes formulated by the Central and the state governments the order saidIt added that upon such engagement he shall be paid honorarium uninterruptedly and such honorarium shall not be less than the minimum wages notified by the State of Odisha under the Minimum Wages ActThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever