Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 20: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Viklang Chattra Trust regarding better care of old age home inmates, Division Bench of High Court comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat today directed Principal Secretary, Finance Department to file his personal affidavit for not releasing the grant-in-aid.
The DB issued this direction as in the compliance report submitted by the Chief Secretary in terms of the earlier order, it has been stated that matter regarding release of Rs 5 lakh grant-in-aid in favour of old age home was taken up with Finance Department by the Social Welfare Department on July 16, 2013 and after the release of the amount by the Finance Department the same will be released in favour of old age home at Ambphalla.
After hearing Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi with Advocate Ravi Abrol for the Viklang Chattra Trust whereas Deputy AG ZS Watali for the State, DB observed, “it is not understandable as to why the Finance Department is delaying the matter for one reason or the other as such Principal Secretary Finance Department is impleaded as party respondent”.
Accordingly, the DB issued notice, which was accepted by Deputy AG ZS Watali on behalf of Principal Secretary Finance. The DB directed Principal Secretary Finance to file his personal affidavit within two weeks time with regard to the steps taken by him for releasing Rs 5 lakh as grant in aid in favour of old age home.
With regard to the other old age homes being run in other parts of Jammu division, Chief Secretary in his report has submitted that there are only three old age homes in Jammu division, one each at Amphalla, Kathua and Udhampur. However, no old age home exists in Kashmir division.
Upon this, Division Bench observed, “to explore the possibility of establishing old age homes in other districts of State, the Chief Secretary is directed to constitute a committee headed by him along with Principal Secretary Finance Department, Commissioner Secretary Health Department and Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare Department so that this exercise is carried out in the shortest possible period and a complete report is submitted to this Court by Chief Secretary on or before the next date of hearing”.
Division Bench also made it clear that the medical facilities being provided to the old age home at Ambphalla shall also be provided to the old age homes at Kathua and Udhampur. Compliance report in this regard shall also be submitted by the Chief Secretary.
Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi appearing for the PIL will also put-forth his suggestions in writing for achieving the cause as projected in the instant Public Interest Litigation to Court. The DB directed Registry to list the PIL in the week commencing September 9, 2013.
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