New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Coming to the aid of an octogenarian woman and her visually impaired son from a remote village in Odisha’s Sonepur district, the Supreme Court has directed the state government to ensure that all social security benefits and basic amenities are provided to them.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports about the plight of the mother-son duo at Bagadia village in Sonepur district, the Apex Court directed the state government to ensure that they can live a “dignified life”.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana on Tuesday issued the directions while hearing the suo motu case initiated based on media reports concerning the condition of 56-year-old Japa Bhue, who is blind since birth, and his mother, Radhika Bhue.
The Bench observed that its concern was not whether welfare schemes merely existed on paper, but whether the mother and son were actually able to avail the benefits to which they were entitled under various government programmes.
“We are, however, only concerned about the sustenance and dignified life of Japa Bhue, who has been blind since birth, and his 80-year-old mother, Smt. Radhika Bhue… The State of Odisha and its authorities are directed to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to Smt. Radhika Bhue and her son Japa Bhue till further orders,” the Bench said.
The Court directed the State of Odisha and its authorities to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to them until further orders. It also sought a compliance report from the state government detailing the welfare measures extended to the family.
During the hearing, counsel for the Odisha government informed the court that a dwelling unit was reportedly allotted to the family and that Radhika Bhue was receiving old-age pension while Japa Bhue was receiving disability pension.
The bench sought detailed information on all social security benefits available to both mother and son. It also directed that Japa Bhue be inducted as a paralegal volunteer and be paid an uninterrupted honorarium not less than the minimum wages prescribed under law. The court noted that he could assist other persons with disabilities in understanding their legal rights and welfare entitlements.
For an on-ground assessment, the Supreme Court directed the Member Secretary of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority to personally interact with the family and submit a comprehensive report on their living conditions, welfare benefits and any additional support required.
The SC also directed the state government to file a separate affidavit, sworn by an officer not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary, detailing the social security benefits extended to the mother and son. It is to indicate whether the elderly woman has been granted old-age pension, the quantum of pension being paid to her, the welfare benefits available to her under various government schemes, and whether those benefits, together with any arrears, have been disbursed.
The state has also been asked to indicate whether her son is in receipt of disability pension and other welfare benefits for which he is eligible, and whether all such benefits have been duly disbursed.
The Court posted the matter for hearing on July 13 to review compliance with its directions.
