AJAI SRIVASTAVA Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE Court has taken cognizance of the letter, dated 29.12.2014, addressed to Hon'ble the Chief Justice by Shri Ajai Srivastava, Honorary Chairman, Umang Foundation, whereby the questions of vital public importance have been raised.

(2.) IN India, 95 million people are above the age of 60 and by the year 2025, nearly 80 million more will be added to this bracket of population. There are about 8 million people who are currently above the age of 80 years. It is the need of hour to provide them with shelter, food, clothing and medical care. The old people are leading isolated lives due to change in value system and of course due to economic considerations. It is the duty of all of us to restore their dignity in their twilight.

(3.) ACCORDING to the averments made in the letter, dated 29.12.2014, there are 17 inmates in the Old Age Home at Basantpur, District Shimla, run by the H.P. State Social Welfare Advisory Board. Out of them, four inmates, namely, Mr. Sonam Bahadur, Mr. Surat Ram, Mr. Ram Singh and Ms. Krishna are severely handicapped. They are in the age group of 40 -50 years. Both legs of Mr. Sonam Bahadur were amputated after he met with a major fire accident while he was working as a labourer with a Contractor of H.P. State Forest Corporation in District Kullu. He was treated at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. However, neither the Contractor nor the State Government paid any compensation to him. He is living in the Old Age Home for the last about 13 years. He has also not been paid any disability pension. Mr. Surat Ram had a brain stroke leading to paralysis. He was admitted in the Old Age Home about one year ago. He has also been denied the disability pension. Mr. Ram Singh is living in the Home for the last eight years. He has also been denied the disability pension by the State. Ms. Krishna is mentally retarded. There is no skilled employee to tackle with such persons in the Home. She has also been denied the disability pension. Petitioner has prayed that these inmates be given disability/rehabilitation pension. Petitioner has also prayed that a separate rehabilitation centre should be opened by the State for the helpless disabled persons with facility to provide them some vocational training. It is also prayed that the inmates also need psychological counseling. The petitioner has also prayed that the inmates who suffers from serious mental sickness, should be shifted to the Hospital for Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Boileauganj, Shimla. Petitioner has further prayed that a separate rehabilitation centre is required for the helpless persons with mental retardation.