Having taken suo muto cognizance of a letter from a private citizen, Daya Kishan Joshi, complaining of poor or no financial assistance being given to persons with AIDS, the Delhi High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar on Wednesday (March 14) ordered the Secretary of Health in Delhi to file a status report on the issue pending before the Delhi State Aids Control Society.

The counsel for the government also said that the Delhi government was planning to pay a pension six times the current amount to AIDS patients in the state.

On the last date of hearing, ob December 15, 2017, with Joshi present in court, Gautam Narayan, Additional Standing Counsel for the Government of NCT of Delhi sought time, saying that he will place a report before the court at the earliest.

On Wednesday the petitioner said that a pension of Rs 1,000 is not sufficient for Delhi. He said that in Tamil Nadu they give bus passes and train passes to their AIDS patients. Some states give job cards also.

At this the respondent’s counsel said that the proposal has been sent to the Delhi Government and is pending consideration. The bench told counsel Rahul Mehra that at least give minimum wages to AIDS patients.

Mehra said the Joint secretary or Health Secretary has been looking into the issue.

The bench asked: “How much are you looking to pay to AIDS patients?”

Mehra said: “Almost six time the present amount.”

–      India Legal Bureau