SC seeks Centre's response to suggestions on eradicating leprosy, rehab of patients

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to respond in four weeks to the suggestions mooted by an NGO to eradicate leprosy and on aspects like rehabilitation and curbing discrimination against those suffering from the disease.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra also asked the Centre to consider framing a law to repeal all state and local laws that discriminate against those affected by the disease. It granted six weeks to the government for taking a decision on it.

The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, perused the suggestions given by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy (VCLP), the NGO which has filed the PIL, on aspects like creating awareness, rehabilitation and sensitisation of common public about the disease.

Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, appearing for the NGO, said the suggestions pertained to "awareness, sensitisation and dissemination of action taken, non-discrimination, pensionary benefits for persons affected by leprosy, health care and rehabilitation, housing assistance, education, employment, livelihood, welfare and language and expression".

The bench said "we would request Venugopal, the Attorney General, to assist with regard to the aforesaid nine aspects by filing his suggestions within four weeks hence. All the states shall file their responses with regard to the steps taken and to be taken, keeping in view the constitutional goal."
It referred to one such provision of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 that allowed dissolution of marriage if one of the partners has been "suffering from a virulent and incurable form of leprosy."