Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: THE Supreme Court on August 18 sought the response of the Central Government to a suo motu case initiated to examine and alleviate the struggles faced by military cadets who suffer disability during training. The matter was initiated based on a report in The Indian Express newspaper.
A Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan said it will examine various aspects including whether monthly compensation to such disabled candidate can be enhanced, the insurance coverage application and the scope of their rights under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016 (RPwD Act).
“During the proceedings, the Court considered whether the monthly compensation can be enhanced, whether there can be an insurance coverage, whether there could be a reassessment of the injured cadets after their treatment is at a particular stage and thereafter any suitable training could be given to them for rehabilitation. The rights that the cadets have under the Disability Act can also be examined,” the court noted in its order.
Appearing for the Central Government, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati said she will give a comprehensive affidavit. The court proceeded to issue notice to the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance (Department of Defence), Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Airforce Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Ministry of Defence (Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare) and Ministry of Social Justice (Department of Disability).
