Himachal Pradesh High Court today sought a response of the state government to a PIL which alleged lack of basic facilities at a government-run home for destitute women in Mashobra, on the outskirts of the state capital.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, issued the notice to Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Social Justice and Empowerment), Principal Secretary (Health), Director of Health Services, D C Shimla, Director of Welfare and others.
The High Court had turned a letter into an PIL which was written to the Chief Justice by Ajai Srivastava, Chairman Umang Foundation, an NGO fighting for rights of the disabled.
Also Read
The applicant had alleged that all the 30 adult inmates of Nari Sewa Sadan, Mashobra are mentally challenged and there was lack of proper hygiene due to their condition.
"There is lack of proper trained staff to look after such inmates and they require psychological counselling as well as some vocational activities to keep them busy to come out of traumatic past," the applicant claimed.
He also alleged that physically disabled inmates are not getting pension.
"Some of the inmates are also physically disabled and no disability pension and old age pension is being provided to them. The authorities are also not making any effort to locate the kith and kin of the inmates to reunite them with their family members," he said.
