Gollanki Rajarao, v. The State Of Andhra Pradesh,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT HYDERABAD
FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AND THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH ******** WRIT PETITION NO.23132 of 2015 Between:
Gollanki Raja Rao s/o.late Sugreevulu, Aged about 67 years, Occu: Coolie, r/o.Vaddangi Village, Bhamini Mandal, Srikakulam District and others.
... Petitioners AND The State of Andhra Pradesh, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (RD-II) Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad, rep.by its Principal Secretary and others.
... Respondents DATE OF JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED : 27.07.2015 SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
THE HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE P.NAVEEN RAO
1. Whether Reporters of Local Newspapers may : Yes / No Be allowed to see the Judgments ? :
2. Whether the copies of judgment may be marked: Yes / No to Law Reporters/Journals :
3. Whether Their Lordship wish to see the fair : Yes / No Copy of the Judgment ? : HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE P.NAVEEN RAO
WRIT PETITION No.23132 of 2015 ORDER:
Government of India introduced National Social Welfare Assistance Programme with a view to support minimum needs of poor destitutes having little or no regular means of sustenance on their own or financial support from their family members. National Old Age Pension scheme is one of the components of such programme. Under the scheme, poor destitute old aged persons of 65 years and above are extended support by way pension every month. The said scheme along with various other schemes to widows, people with disabilities, weavers, etc., were implemented by the State Government under the name of 'INDIRAMMA'. The programme started in the year 2006. Petitioners were granted the old aged pension under the said scheme.
2. After coming into force of new Government, the name of the entire programme is changed as 'NTR Barosa'. Detailed guidelines are formulated and notified vide G.O.Ms.No.135 Panchayat Raj and Rural Development (RD.I) Department, dated 17.09.2014. Though the petitioners were granted pension till September, 2014, thereafter on a perfunctory verification of eligibility names of the petitioners were ignored. On bringing to the notice of the District Collector, the District Collector ordered for enquiry to be conducted by the Project Officer. The Project Officer in turn directed the Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) to hold enquiry and submit a report. Accordingly, MPDO enquired into the eligibility of the petitioners and report was submitted to this extent.
The report submitted by the MPDO discloses that petitioners are eligible for receiving the pension according to the guidelines formulated by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.135, dated 17.09.2014. Though such report was already submitted, no action is taken and on account of stopping pension since October, 2014, petitioners are suffering. Hence, this writ petition.
3. Copies of report filed by petitioners would show that insofar as petitioners are concerned, the MPDO, after due verification of their eligibility, has reported that petitioners are eligible to receive pension. Since already recommendation is made by the MPDO, the Project Officer, DRDA, Seethampeta, Srikakulam District (5th respondent), is directed to consider the said report of the MPDO and take appropriate decision in accordance with the scheme formulated by the Government and if the petitioners are found to be eligible to receive pension under the scheme, the same shall be granted. The entire process shall be completed as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
4. Accordingly the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Miscellaneous petitions if any pending in the writ petition shall stand closed.
__________________________ JUSTICE P.NAVEEN RAO Date : 27.07.2015 kkm HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE P.NAVEEN RAO WRIT PETITION No.23132 of 2015 Date: 27.07.2015 kkm