'Grave Importance': Madras High Court Seeks Report On Benefits Given To Differently Abled Persons During Covid-19 Pandemic

"The matter is of grave importance and it is hoped that the State takes immediate measures. Learned counsel for the State is directed to file an updated status report providing full particulars of the kind of relief measures that have been extended and the classes of persons who have benefitted thereby," a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy ordered on a PIL filed by NGO Universal Differentially.

In another PIL, filed by a visually impaired lawyer— M. Karpagam, the same Bench sought a report indicating how various categories of differently abled people are proposed to be vaccinated, including those who are unable to leave their homes and may be in distant parts of the State.

COVID19: Madras High Court Directs State To Indicate Plan Of Action For Vaccination Of Bed Ridden, Physically Disabled

In the first PIL, the Petitioner stated that differently abled persons are entitled to preferential treatment at times of crisis in terms of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

It was alleged that in spite of earlier orders of the Court, no concrete measures have been taken to redress the grievances of the differently abled during this pandemic period and a meagre sum of Rs. 1000/- was paid as monetary relief although much larger amounts were promised.

The State on the other hand specified that a sum of about Rs.58.33 crore has been credited to differently abled beneficiaries' bank accounts. It further stated that this benefits about 1,94,449 differently abled persons. Further details were specified with regard to the provision of both monetary benefit and benefit by way of supply of free ration.

The Petitioner in response claimed that these benefits have not been received by the differently abled, in particular, by the visually impaired whom they represent.

The Court observed that the matter is of 'grave importance' and directed the State to provide complete particulars of the relief measures.

So far as the second PIL is concerned, the Bench expressed unhappiness over the 'vague' status report filed by the Tamil Nadu Government.

"The status report runs into three pages and the relevant matter is found in paragraph 6, which is completely vague and does not make any distinction between several classes of differently abled persons, particularly those who are homebound and completely unable to travel outside," the Bench remarked.

It hoped that a more detailed report will be filed by the State indicating how various categories of differently abled people are proposed to be vaccinated.

"A comprehensive set of instructions to be issued to appropriate officials in the State should be prepared and appended to the status report that should be filed," it ordered.

Yesterday, the High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Government to ensure that a special vaccination drive be undertaken to prioritize mentally ill persons and that they are vaccinated. It also suggested to the Government that its policy of having mobile teams travel to persons with disabilities rather than make such disadvantaged persons come to centers may be adopted in case of mentally ill patients.

Click Here To Download Order [Universal Differentially]

Click Here To Download Order [M. Karpagam]