Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 2: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking enhancement of pension for disabled persons, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal today directed for enhancement of pension before next date of hearing.
After hearing Advocate SS Ahmed with Advocate Suraj Singh appearing for the PIL, DB observed, “senior AAG Seema Shekhar in response to order dated 13.05.2015 has submitted that the matter with respect to revision of pension of old-aged, handicapped persons and widows is under active consideration of the competent authority. She has sought further time to place on record Government order in this behalf”.
On query by the Division Bench, Senior AAG submitted that this class of persons are being paid Rs 500 per month. However, the DB remarked, “it is only to be imagined how a person of the this class would be sustaining on an amount of Rs 500 per month”.
“The State being welfare state would require to show austerity where required and spend less on non productive programmes and spare some money for this class of persons. The right of sustenance of such persons is engrained in Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Such class of persons has to be provided an amount which would enable them to keep their flesh and bones together and State is under obligation to provide sustenance to old-age/handicapped/widows”, the DB said.
Accordingly, the Division Bench hoped that before next date decision will be taken and appropriate orders issued regarding enhancement of the disabled pension.
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