The Supreme Courton Tuesday passed a series of directions to secure social security benefits and a dignified life for a visually impaired man and his elderly mother in Odisha. The directions were issued in the Court’s suo motu proceedings concerning basic human dignity and social security for differently abled persons living in extreme poverty.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana expressed concern not merely about the allotment of housing benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Grameen), but about the overall welfare and sustenance of Japa Bhue, a man blind from birth, and his 80-year-old mother, Radhika Bhue.
During the hearing, the State informed the Court that a dwelling unit had reportedly been allotted to the mother and that separate units had also been allotted to Japa Bhue’s brothers. The Bench, however, observed that its primary concern was whether Japa Bhue and his mother were receiving the support necessary to live with dignity.
The Court directed the State of Odisha to file an affidavit by an officer not below the rank of Chief Secretary detailing whether Radhika Bhue receives old-age pension and other welfare benefits available to senior citizens, and whether Japa Bhue has been granted disability pension and other social security entitlements available to persons with disabilities.
The Bench also directed the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) to visit and interact with the family and ensure that any immediate medical needs are addressed in coordination with the district administration and health authorities.
In a significant direction, the Court ordered that Japa Bhue be engaged as a paralegal volunteer for creating awareness among persons with disabilities regarding their legal rights and welfare entitlements. The Court directed that he be paid an honorarium not less than the minimum wages notified by the State of Odisha.
The Court further asked the Legal Services Authority to examine whether Japa Bhue is independently entitled to a dwelling unit under applicable government schemes and, if so, to pursue the matter with the State Government for grant of the benefit.
Emphasising that access to welfare measures must translate into a life of dignity, the Court directed Odisha and its authorities to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to Japa Bhue and his mother pending further consideration of the matter. Compliance reports have been sought from both the State Government and the Legal Services Authority.