JUDGMENT: (per the Hon'ble, the Chief Justice) Pursuant to our order dated 21 st December, 2021, the status report, in the form of an affidavit, has been filed by the Joint Secretary in Women & Child Development Department, Government of Sikkim, wherefrom it appears that the process of establishing Old Age Homes in all the districts of Sikkim - except East Sikkim - has already commenced. These Old Age Homes are in various stages of construction. Construction of an Old Age Home at South Sikkim has already been completed and the process is underway for handing over the same to an NGO based in Namchi, South Sikkim, with due approval of the State Government.
So far as the other districts are concerned, as stated hereinabove, Old Age Homes are in various stages of construction, except in East Sikkim, for which budget is likely to be provided for construction of the Old Age Home in the ensuing financial year.
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Record of Proceedings Taking note of the above facts, we are of the view that the State of Sikkim has initiated the process of establishment of Old Age Homes in all the districts of Sikkim and as such no useful purpose will be served in keeping the instant writ petition - which is in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation - pending. The instant writ petition stands, accordingly, disposed of.
(Meenakshi Madan Rai) (Biswanath Somadder)
Judge Chief Justice
jk/ds/avi
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