Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 12: In a Public Interest Litigation filed by Viklang Chattra Trust seeking better care of old age home, a Division Bench of the State High Court Comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe directed State to file status report.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, Division Bench after hearing Adv Veenu Gupta for the PIL whereas Advocate General assited by Govt Advocate Sudesh Magotra appearing for the state observed that the financial approval of the State Government for construction of old age homes for men, women as well as Bal Ashrams for boys and girls has been accorded on 24th July, 2017.
DB further observed that additionally, the financial outlay for working of the National Social Assistance Programme, which is a centrally sponsored scheme has been placed on record.
Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Gita Mittal further directed to inform the court that during the current financial year under the Integrated Social Security Scheme, which is a state sponsored scheme, 40,000 additional cases have been identified and approved for award of the benefits.
State Social Welfare Department has initiated the process for weeding out of the ineligible/ expired beneficiaries and that 11,158 such persons have been identified.
DB directed Secretary Social Welfare Department shall place on record tabulation of the land available as well as status of possession thereof; the financial sanction(s) and approval(s) for construction of old age homes in different districts of the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
DB directed to file a status report in this regard within four weeks. DB further observed that we may note that all issues relating to development of women and children have been clubbed together and assigned to the Department of Social Welfare resulting in burdening of this department and ineffective working of the Govt. Social Welfare Schemes and matters relating thereto.
DB directed Member-Secretary, J&K State Legal Services Authority as well as District Legal Services Authorities, to ensure that the Govt. schemes noted in this order are given due publicity and that the benefits are made a available to the eligible persons in their respective districts. |
