Plea to process pending applications of beneficiaries under under disability pension scheme

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday ordered notice to the Centre on the public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the government to process pending applications of eligible beneficiaries from Tamil Nadu under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS).

A Division Bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and R. Kalaimathi ordered notice to the Centre on the petition filed by Swamimalai Sundara Vimala Nathan of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.

The petitioner said the IGNDPS was launched in February 2009 by the Central government to support differently abled persons. This scheme was introduced under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).

It provided a monthly pension of ₹300 to the differently abled persons. Those aged above 18 years with 80% or more disability and belonging to a below poverty line household could apply for pension under the scheme. For the past two years, 5.29 lakh eligible beneficiaries had submitted their applications to enroll their names under the scheme, he said.

However, these applications had not yet been processed and sanctioned by the Centre. Such a prolonged delay would affect the eligible persons. Section 24 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, provided social security to safeguard and promote the rights of persons with disabilities, he said.

He said he had made several representations to the authorities concerned regarding this and also requested enhancement of the pension that was being provided under the scheme. However, no action had been initiated, he said and sought a direction to the Centre to process the pending applications. The court posted the matter for hearing to March 27.