The Supreme Court on Tuesday took suo motu cognizance of the abject poverty suffered by an elderly woman and her visually impaired son in Odisha and directed the Odisha government to ensure that all social security benefits and basic facilities are provided to them.
“Here is a person who is unfortunately blind and his 80-year-old mother does not have a housing unit… We are concerned about their livelihood and the decent life that the person and his mother deserve,” a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Mohana said.
After perusing media reports describing their plight, the court directed the Odisha government to furnish details of the monthly remuneration, if any, provided to 80-year-old Radhika Bhoi and her 56-year-old blind son, Jabba Bhoi, along with housing and other provisions under any central or state scheme.
On inquiry by the court as to whether old age pension is provided to the mother and disability pension to the son, the Odisha government submitted to the court that both receive an amount of Rs. $3500 per month under the concerned superiors. Additionally, the state noted that a housing unit has been provided to the mother and her two sons under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. The mother-son duo also receives free supplies of food grains every month.
The court asked the state to provide details of these benefits within four weeks, as it was gathered from various news reports on how the duo lived in a temporary house in a dilapidated condition. Reports also indicated that the family is unable to live a decent life due to the poor livelihood and the limited amount of food grains provided by the state.
As the Member Secretary of Odisha Legal Services Authority (OLSA) joined the proceedings virtually, the body directed the body to ensure regular source of employment for the specially-abled Jabba Bhoi. “Japa Bhau, a visually impaired person, has been directed to work as a paralegal volunteer to sensitize people with special disabilities.” The court ordered that a fixed remuneration be paid to him, not less than the amount stipulated in the Minimum Wage Law.
OLSA has been directed to coordinate with the District Legal Service Authority and Chief Medical Officer of the district hospital nearest to Pagadia village in Subarnapur district where they reside, to provide any immediate medical assistance to them. Moreover, the court ordered the authority to submit a report on whether the family has been allocated a housing unit and the benefits provided to them under the social welfare programmes.
“Prima facie it appears that Jhapa Bhoi is entitled to a separate residential unit,” the court said, asking the member secretary to examine this aspect in relation to various government schemes. If such entitlement exists, OLSA has been directed to take up the matter with the state government.
At present, the court directed that all basic amenities be provided to the two persons and posted the order in July to issue further directions. On the next date, the court will consider the State Government’s affidavit, to be submitted by the Additional Chief Secretary regarding the amounts and benefits distributed so far and the arrears, if any, to which they are entitled.
Jabba Bhoi has been blind since birth and since his father’s recent death he has become dependent on his elderly mother. Financial constraints have forced the family to survive in dire straits, with food not being available on some days when they turn to local neighbors for survival.
For now, the court orders will bring some relief to the harsh survival conditions faced by the mother-son duo. The Supreme Court’s awareness of this issue would signal to all state governments to be alert for the purpose of social service and redirect the government oriented towards social welfare of needy citizens under various schemes and legislations.
