Frame guidelines to help mentally ill, SC tells Centre
The Supreme Court asked the Centre on Tuesday to frame guidelines for rehabilitation of people who have been cured of their mental illness, observing that the issue was “very sensitive”.
A bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar observed that after patients are cured, not even their family members are willing to take them back home.
“It is a very, very sensitive issue. You (Centre) should apply your mind. When a person goes to a mental asylum and after treatment he is cured, no body is willing to take him back to home. You should think over it,” the bench told solicitor general Ranjit Kumar, representing Centre.
It added that the government “cannot allow a person to be kept” in a mental asylum or a nursing home after he or she is fully cured. “They have to be brought back to civil society. You will have to frame a policy,” the bench said.
“It is very easily achievable. You give us a model scheme. We will then put it to the state governments and ask them. Give us a scheme,” the court said.
Kumar, however, told the bench that they needed some time as two ministries — ministry of health and ministry of social justice — were involved in this process. The apex court gave the Centre eight weeks. Ending three weeks of violence, strikes and political upheaval, Nagaland Peoples’ Front (NPF) president Shurhozelie Liezietsu took charge as the 11th chief minister of Nagaland on Wednesday. The 81-year-old was administered oath of office and secrecy by governor PB Acharya at a function in the Kohima Raj Bhawan. Liezietsu’s elevation to the top post came after his predecessor TR Zeliang resigned on Sunday following violent protests by tribal organizations against elections to municipal bodies with 33% reservation for women.
Eleven ministers, 26 parliamentary secretaries and six advisors were also appointed on Wednesday. Since he is not a member of the assembly, Liezietsu will have to get elected within the next six months. It is expected he will contest from Northern Angami-1 seat, which he vacated in 2013 . UTPAL PARASHAR