Coming to the rescue of a visually-impaired man and his 80-year-old mother living in extreme poverty in Odisha, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the state government to provide all social security benefits and basic amenities to them.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports about their pathetic condition, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the Odisha Government to ensure social security to Japa Bhue, who is visually-impaired since birth, and his mother, Radhika Bhue.
After the death of Japa’s father, the family’s financial condition reportedly worsened and the mother-son duo has been living in a dilapidated, asbestos-roofed small structure with cracked walls.
The Bench, which also included Justice V Mohana, sought a compliance report from the Odisha Government on the relief and welfare measures made available to them.
As the Odisha Government counsel submitted that a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Grameen) had been allotted to Radhika Bhue and separate dwelling units had also been sanctioned for Japa Bhue’s brothers, the Bench said the larger issue was if the mother and son were receiving adequate support and welfare assistance to lead a dignified life.
“We are concerned with whether a life with dignity can be granted to Smt. Bhue (mother of the visually impaired man),” CJI Kant said.
It directed the state government to file an affidavit through an officer not below the rank of Chief Secretary, spelling out whether Radhika Bhue was receiving old-age pension and other benefits available to senior citizens, and whether Japa Bhue was granted disability pension and other social security benefits available to persons with disabilities.
“The state shall ensure that all basic amenities and facilities necessary for a life of dignity are made available to the mother and her son,” it said.
The top court directed the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) to visit the Bhue family and coordinate with the district administration and health department authorities to ensure that necessary medical help was provided to them immediately.
“The Member Secretary, Odisha State Legal Services Authority, shall appear before this Court. The Member Secretary shall personally interact with Smt. Radhika Bhue and her visually impaired son and ensure that all necessary arrangements are made for them,” it ordered.
The Bench also ordered OSLSA to engage visually-impaired Japa Bhue as a paralegal volunteer to create awareness among differently-abled individuals about their legal rights and welfare schemes. He should receive an honorarium not less than the minimum wages notified by the Odisha government, it said.
