"Don't poor have teeth", asked Supreme Court Judge TS Thakur as he came down heavily on the Punjab government today for not spending huge funds collected for the welfare of construction workers, saying not even Rs 50,000 was spent on dentists schemes for them.
"Out of Rs 750 crore collected as cess in Punjab, you have not spent even Rs 50,000 on dentists schemes on these sector. Does a poor man not have dental problem or they do not have teeth at all," he asked.
The apex court judge, who is also the Executive Chairman of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), was addressing a Colloquium on 'Workers in Unorganised Sector: Challenges and Way Forward'.
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Justice Thakur expressed concern over the non-spending of "huge" funds collected for the welfare of construction workers in Punjab, saying there is a lack of sensitivity about the laws and schemes made for the welfare of poor people.
"There are laws and legislations in the books. The Construction Workers Protection Act is there, rules are there, schemes are there but what is lacking is the sensitivity about these laws. There is no sensitivity.
Justice Thakur pointed out that during the period 2008-09 till 2012-13, there was "zero expenditure" out of these funds on these schemes.
Asserting that poverty should not be an "impediment" in providing justice to the weaker section of society, the Supreme Court Judge said it is a real challenge to make poor people aware of their rights in a country where almost one third of population live below poverty line.
Justice Thakur said that poverty should not come in the way of delivering justice to any poor or weaker section of the society.
"When it comes to provide justice, the poverty of a man should not be the impediment...There is a commitment to ensure that he (poor man) has equal access to justice. He should be equal in the matter of demanding or getting justice. He should be equally placed with rich man," said Justice Thakur in his speech.
"When we talk of reforms and talk of justice to all sections of the society...Regardless of the class and creed to which they belong, we cannot ignore any particular class, section or community," he said.
He noted that out of 125 crore of country's population, almost 48 crore of people or about one third of population are those who live below the poverty line.
"The real challenge is in legal awareness of rights of poor people and enforcement of their rights.
"It is a challenge because India is not a small country. It is a very large country. In country with population of 125 crore, where number of poor living BPL are almost 48 crore or one third of population live below poverty line...
"To reach out to them to educate them about their rights and their entitlements is not an easy job. It is a very very tough job," he said.
