LI Network
Published on: December 23, 2023 at 00:45 IST
The Kerala High Court, faced with the plea of 78-year-old Mariyakutty struggling for the disbursal of her widow pension arrears, has granted her the liberty to approach the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) or other relevant authorities for urgent financial assistance.
Mariyakutty, a beneficiary under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, had petitioned the court, citing her dependency on the monthly widow pension of Rs. 1,600/-, which remained unpaid for the past five months.
Special Government Pleader T.B. Hood informed the court that the State Government, grappling with financial constraints, was presently unable to fulfill its financial commitments under the pension scheme. T.B. Hood emphasized the vast financial obligations, covering more than 45 Lakh beneficiaries across various schemes, which amounted to a monthly outlay of Rs. 660 Crores.
The State, acknowledging its inability to commit to a specific timeframe for disbursal, indicated that payments would be made when feasible.
Justice Devan Ramachandran expressed regret at the ‘piquant situation‘ faced by the petitioner, highlighting the challenging circumstances that prevented the court from issuing an interim order compelling the government to pay the arrears.
In a compassionate response, the court recommended that Mariyakutty seek financial assistance from the DLSA, recognizing the predicament faced not only by her but also potentially by numerous others unable to approach the court due to their fiscal struggles.
Case Details: Mariyakutty v. Union of India
