Mariyakutty’s HC petition is politically motivated: Kerala government

Kochi: The Kerala government told the High Court that the petition filed by Adimali native Mariyakutty for non-payment of welfare pension was politically motivated. The government also informed the court that it is suffering from lack of funds owing to which it has failed to disburse money among eligible people. However, the court repeatedly questioned the government of what the old woman was supposed to do for her livelihood. The case will be considered once again in the afternoon.

However, the government has sought more time to file a reply in the matter. Meanwhile, the court has reasserted the fact that it would stand by the common people in matters of justice.    

Yesterday, the High Court had asked the government to take a decision on Mariyakutty’s pension by today. The government had cited the financial crisis as the reason for non-payment of welfare pension. The court had curtly asked why the government was not stalling any celebrations if that was the case. 

The court delved into the matter after Mariyakutty filed a petition. The old woman’s widow pension has been suspended for over five months now.  

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

Mariyakutty had told the court that she doesn't even have a roof of her own. Justice Devan Ramachandran had referred to Mariyakutty as a VIP before the law and had asked the government to announce its decision regarding her pension today. The court also posed a question to the central government lawyer on why the centre did not pay its share so far.