Jharkhand :High court helps differently abled girl for pursuing her medical dream

Ranchi: God seems to have answered her prayer. Anima Minz, a 19 year old, differently abled girl, has been helped in being granted financial assistance to pursue an MBBS course, at an institute of choice by the Jharkhand High Court. This came after court took 'suo moto cognizance' of a news report in the Hindustan Times ,on the girl and extended a helping hand.

The Division Bench led by Chief Justice Virender Singh and Justice S. Chandrashekhar took suo moto cognizance of a news report published in Ranchi edition of 'Hindustan Times' on 31 August, 2016, titled "Differently-abled girl cracks NEET, but family can't afford her education".

The report dated AUGUST 31 in the Hindustan Times, highlighting the financial plight of the girl stated that the polio stricken girl had cracked the NEET exam and had been called by both the Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital, Mumbai, for document verification and admission by September 3. Amina however was unable to travel to Bombay due to limited means. Her admission called for Rs. 64,000- as demand draft .

The High Court intervention has led to a directive issued to the Chief Secretary of State to arrange for a Demand Draft in favour of the institute she desires admission to.The High court has granted a sum of Rs. 64,000 or the amount so required as admission fee, and also an initial assistance of Rs.. 50,000, to her father to meet additional educational expenditure.

The court called for prompt action as she had to report at the institute before Saturday. "It is really a matter of concern when aspirants like Anima Minz have to surrender their hope for want of finances which their family cannot afford. This court could not stop itself from interfering in the matter and accordingly, takes suo moto cognisance of the news report published in the daily newspaper "Hindustan Times" in its Ranchi edition dated August 31, 2016 (Wednesday) and directs the Registry to diarise the same as Public Interest Litigation," stated Chief Justice Virender Singh.

The court ordered that notice be issued to the state government, the Principal Secretary, state Department of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare, and the Principal Secretary, state Welfare Department, as respondents in the said PIL.

The Secretary, State Department of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare, and Principal Secretary, State Welfare Department, were called on to explore all means to render state assistance, for ensuring unhindered pursuit of her goals.

The next date for consideration of the matter has been fixed for 7th September, 2016.