HC raps govt over Mariyakutty's pension arrears, observes it has money to spend on celebrations

Kochi: The High Court has asked the government to make a decision about Mariyakutty’s pension by tomorrow. The government, in turn informed the court that the reason for the non-payment of welfare pension is the ongoing financial crisis. The court curtly asked why  the government was not stalling any celebrations if that was the case. The court was considering a petition filed by Mariyakutty, an Adimali native, after the old woman’s widow pension was suspended for over five months. 

Justice Devan Ramachandran reacted emotionally while considering Mariyakutty’s petition. She is a 78-year-old woman with no other means of livelihood. She is waiting before you (government) for Rs 1600  that she needs for food and medicine, he said. The judge also said that if needed, the lawyers could pitch in and pay the money to her. 

Meanwhile, Mariyakutty told the court that she does not even have a roof of her own. Justice Devan Ramachandran referred to Mariyakutty as a VIP and asked the government to announce its decision regarding the pension by Friday. The court also asked the central government lawyer to clarify why the centre did not pay its share.