Rights panel serves notices on 7 officials over deactivation of Panipat man’s family ID

Taking serious note of the deactivation of an elderly Panipat resident’s Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) ID without information, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has expressed displeasure over administrative negligence and served notices on seven government officials.

Among those who received notices were the Commissioner and Secretary, Citizen Resource Information Department (CRID), Commissioner and Secretary, Housing for All Department, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner, Secretary, Red Cross, and the manager of the old-age home.

The HHRC also sought an action-taken report from the departments concerned in the matter. Amar Singh Murwala, a resident of Panipat approached the HHRC and raised three issues. The complainant alleged that he was a verified beneficiary under the Antyodaya category and a senior citizen, and his PPP ID was deactivated without prior notice, inquiry or opportunity to be heard, due to which he was deprived of multiple welfare schemes, including Antyodya Ann Yojana and the old- age pension.

Murwala further alleged that, despite fulfilling the eligibility criteria, he was not allotted any accommodation or assistance under either the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or the Mukhya mantri Awas Yojana. The complainant, currently residing at an old-age home in Ward 11, alleged that the living conditions at the facility werepoor and unsafe, posing a risk to health and dignity.

Following the complaint, Justice Lalit Batra, chairperson, termed the matter as a “serious case of administrative failure and insensitivity”, further stating that the actions (or inactions) violated the complainant’s right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution, and statutory duties under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. Justice Batra instructed the officials concerned to ensure the immediate verification and reactivation of the deactivated family ID, adding that the departments must reassess the complainant’s eligibility and, if found eligible, allot a 100 square yard residential plot or provide alternative housing support. The Panipat Municipal Commissioner and the Secretary, District Red Cross Society, were also directed to conduct a joint inspection of the old-age home facility’s sanitation. Pest control and fogging was ordered within two weeks from the date of order. The HHRC also directed the departments concerned to submit action-taken reports to the commission before the next hearing, scheduled for October 15. Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information and Public Relations Officer, HHRC, said the commission had also served notices on seven departments.