The Orissa High Court has asked the state government to take a considerate view of enhancing the monthly pension provided to persons with disabilities as a social security measure observing that “the current pension sum is very paltry”.
The Division Bench comprising acting chief justice (retired) Justice B R Sarangi and Justice Murahari Sri Raman issued an order seeking the passage of appropriate orders by law within three months.
On the other hand, the state government expressed helplessness in enhancing the pension because it would exert a huge financial burden on the state exchequer.
The court, hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Orissa Association for the Blind, Bhubaneswar, ruled in this regard.
The state government’s counsel submitted that eligible persons with disabilities (PwD) are covered under the various social security pension schemes in the state. They are being paid disability pension of Rs 500 to Rs 900 per month by the State Government under State sponsored Scheme Madhu Babu Pension Yojna as per their eligibility.
Apart from that top-up on the amount of pension sanctioned under IGNDP by the government of India in respect of 90,283 beneficiaries are paid by the State Government @ Rs.400 per beneficiary. As regards inadequacies of pension amount, it may be mentioned here that the issue of enhancement of pension amount was referred to the Finance Department which was regretted as it would result in huge financial implications on the dtate exchequer, the Government’s counsel contended.
“In any case, this court is of the considered view that taking into account the present price index, the amount of pension, which has now been provided to them, is very paltry and it is very difficult on their part to manage themselves with the said amount of Disability Pension”, the Bench stated.
Thereby, this Court observes that the State Government should reconsider the said issue and pass appropriate orders by law within three months, the order concluded.