Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 28: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Viklang Chattra Trust seeking better care of old age home, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice BS Walia today issued various directions.
When the matter was taken up, Deputy AG submitted that in pursuance to order dated 18.07.2017, the compliance report has been filed. After going through the compliance report filed on behalf of Social Welfare Department, senior counsel for the petitioner submitted that by an order dated 24.07.2017, administrative approval has been accorded in favour of the Director, Social Welfare Jammu for construction of composite building comprising of four blocks at Gaink Bhalwal and the estimated cost of the project is Rs 973.06 lakh.
“However, from the perusal of the communication dated 17.08.2017, it is evident that only a sum of Rs 2.63 lakh has been sanctioned for the current financial year. The amount is grossly inappropriate and therefore the respondents should be directed to release the adequate amount for the current financial year, so that the construction work of the composite old age home can be undertaken expeditiously by the JKPCC”, the counsel for the petitioner submitted, adding “State is only contributing Rs 300 per month towards the old age pension which is being given to the senior citizens and the respondents be directed to inform as to what amount is being contributed by the State Government on account of old age pension which is being granted to the senior citizens and how much pension is being granted to the senior citizens in neighbouring States”.
Accordingly, Division Bench granted two weeks time to DyAG for seeking instructions in this regard and for filing an affidavit. In the meanwhile, DyAG submitted that the amount which has been released for this financial year is Rs 2.63 crore. In view of this submission, Division Bench directed for impleadment of JKPCC.
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