Assam’s multi-crore welfare scheme under Apex Court scanner

The Supreme Court has refused to give its nod to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s multi-crore welfare schemes for the poor, saying it first needs to lay down norms to identify beneficiaries of the cash disbursed from public funds.

A Bench, headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, said: “We will not allow this to go on. You have to lay down norms to identify who is the needy among the poor to be given cash disbursement from public funds under various schemes.” 

“Show that scheme to the HC and get its approval. Till that is done, you should not disburse any amount under any welfare scheme. This is an election year. That is why you are proceeding to disburse funds in such a manner,” the Bench said.

The Apex Court, which was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Assam Public Works, issued notice to the Assam government and its departments dealing with Panchayat and Rural Development and Agriculture and asked them to file their responses in six weeks.

“Elections are due in the state and what is happening? Hundreds of crores of rupees are being disbursed through welfare schemes without there being some basic norms to identify the needy. How do you choose who needs the most from among lakhs of poor in Assam?” the Apex Court asked.

It took strong exception to disbursing of money to people under financial assistance schemes for homeless, widows, farmers, old-age pension, artisans, women’s self-help groups, petty traders and flood-hit people.