SC: States to Disburse Pension, Provide Masks and PPE Suits to Old Age People [Read Order]

On 4^th Aug’2020, the Supreme Court in the case of Ashwani Kumar v. Union of India & Ors comprising of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice R. Subhash Reddy ordered that pension to elderly persons should be disbursed on time and those living in old age homes be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitizers and face masks to protect them from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Petitioner Submissions

The petitioner in person says that the older people have already been identified since most of them are getting a pension from the States under the 3 different schemes. He further submits that the older people, who are living alone, are the worst sufferers and they are not able to get medicines, masks, sanitizers, and other essential goods. The caregivers of these people are also not equipped with personal protection equipment and are also untrained.

Union of India Submissions

Union of India submits that the necessary steps have been taken to give protection to the older people in this pandemic.

Court Findings and Order

The Court stated directed 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.

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