(Ashok Bhushan and R. Subhash Reddy, JJ.)
Dr. Ashwani Kumar _________________________________ Petitioner;
v.
Union of India and Others ________________________ Respondent(s).
Writ Petition(s) (Civil) No(s). 193/2016, decided on August 4, 2020
(IA No. 53824/2020 – Appropriate Orders/Directions and IA No. 53821/2020 – Early Hearing Application)
Writ Petition(s) (Civil) No(s). 193/2016; IA No. 53824/2020; and IA No. 53821/2020
The Order of the court was delivered by
Order
I.A. No. 53821 of 2020
1. We have heard Dr. Ashwani Kumar appearing in person and Ms. V. Mohana, learned senior counsel for the Union of India and other counsel.
2. This Court has already issued directions on 13.12.2018 which need to be complied with by all concerned including the States. By this application, certain further directions have been sought by the petitioner in person with regard to older people who need more care and protection in this pandemic of Covid 19. The petitioner in person says that the older people have already been identified since most of them are getting pension from the States under the different schemes. He submits that the older people, who are living alone, are worst sufferers and they are not able to get medicines, masks, sanitizers and other essential goods. The care givers of these people are also not equipped with personal protection equipment and are also untrained. The prayer has also been made for issuing appropriate direction for timely payment of old age pension to all elder persons who are in receipt of the pension.
3. Learned counsel appearing for the Union of India submits that the necessary steps have been taken to give protection to the older people in this pandemic.
4. This Court has already issued directions on 13.12.2018 with regard to other aspects. We, in this application, which is specially confined to Covid 19 crisis, direct that all old age people who are eligible for pension should be regularly paid pension and those identified older people should be provided necessary medicines, masks, sanitizers and other essential goods by respective States. Further, as and when any individual request is made, the same shall be attended to by the Administration with all promptness. The care givers of those old age homes should be provided personal protection and appropriate sanitization should also be undertaken in the old age homes. Let all the States may file their reply affidavit to the averments made in the application within four weeks.
I.A. No. 53824/2020
5. The grievance has been raised by the petitioner in person that the elderly people are not getting priority in the Government hospital irrespective of their capacity to pay.
6. Learned counsel for the State submits that in the Government hospital, the treatment of Covid 19 is free. We only observe that the elderly people should be given priority in the admission in the Government hospital looking to their vulnerability for Covid 19. In event of any complaint made by the elderly people, the hospital administration concerned shall take immediate steps to remedy their grievances.
7. Learned counsel for the State may obtain a copy of these applications from the Registry on a request being made.
8. List the applications after four weeks.
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