Orissa HC Recommends Enhanced Monthly Pension for Disabled Persons

Cuttack: Observing that “the current pension sum is very paltry”, Orissa High Court has asked the Odisha government to take a considerate view of enhancing the monthly pension provided to persons with disabilities as a social security measure.

The Division Bench of the Orissa High Court 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.

But the state government stated its helplessness in enhancing the pension saying that it would lead to a huge financial burden on the state exchequer.

The High Court made this ruling while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Orissa Association for the Blind, Bhubaneswar.

According to the state government’s counsel, eligible persons with disabilities (PwD) 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.

“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 High Court 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.