Problems Faced By Orphanages, Old Age Homes & Centre For Disabled Persons Due To COVID: Patna HC Directs State To Create Helpline Number

• The Orphanage(s);
• Old Age Home(s); and
• Centre for disabled persons set up within the State of Bihar

The Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S. Kumar was informed by the State of Bihar it had promulgated Regulations termed as Bihar Epidemic Diseases COVID-19 Regulations, 2020, and the officers under the said Regulations were appointed to deal with all issues and problems arising as a result of the Pandemic (Corona Virus) prevalent in the State of Bihar.

It was also informed to the Court that there were separate and dedicated Toll-Free Help Line numbers dealing with the issues of (i) Orphanage(s); (ii) Old Age Home(s); and (iii) Centre for disabled persons

On the other hand, the Union of India submitted before the  court that the State must involve and engage the Civil Society in dealing with the current problems.

In this backdrop, the Petitioner submitted before the Court that in the current times and circumstances, it was prudent and appropriate that another Toll-Free Help Line number was set up specifically dealing with the problems faced by these Institutions/Sectors.

Agreeing with this suggestion, the Court directed the Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Bihar to come up with such a dedicated helpline.

Importantly, the Court also clarified that it shall be open for any one of the members of the Civil Society/NGOs/CSOs to approach the District Magistrates/authorities constituted under the Regulations, 2020 for rendering all help in the form of material and/or human resources.

The Court further remarked,

"We are sure that such request shall be considered expeditiously, accounting for all prevalent factors and attending circumstances. There cannot be any mutual distrust in helping the needy, for after all the Government itself has called upon the general public for rendering help, be it in whatever form."

Lastly, the Registrar General of the Court was asked to ensure that a copy of all the orders be positively (for getting the needful done) sent to:-

• The Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar,
• Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Bihar,
• Chairman, District Legal Services Authority
• Secretary, Disaster Management, Government of Bihar,
• Each one of the District Magistrates of all the Districts in the State of Bihar,
• Petitioner, and
• Learned counsel for the parties.

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