The State Human Rights Commission has come to the aid of a cycle repairer, who lost vision in both eyes, by recommending to the Tamil Nadu government to consider paying Rs.50,000 to him on compassionate grounds within eight weeks.
Describing the case as “very unfortunate,” Commission Chairperson, Justice A.S. Venkatachalamoorthy, said the complainant appeared before the Commission on two occasions. The Commission could well understand his struggle for existence.
In his complaint, E. Murugesan (51) of Semmanchery, Sholinganallur, stated that he lost vision in one eye 30 years ago. He was running a bicycle repair shop. As there was some difficulty in the other eye, he underwent a surgery at the Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Egmore, in October 2007. As the problem recurred, he underwent a second surgery in January 2008. Unfortunately, he lost vision and became totally blind. He sought a suitable direction to hospital to give proper treatment so that he could get back his sight.
The hospital director/superintendent detailed the treatment given to the complainant, how he went home with good vision and also his readmission twice after that with intraocular infection. The infection was treated. There was no negligence on the hospital's part.
Following another representation by Mr. Murugesan, on the Commission's direction, he was examined again in April this year. In the report, the hospital said any intervention in both eyes was not likely to improve vision.
In his order, Mr. Justice Venkatachalamoorthy said the complainant's wife was bedridden with paralysis and inpatient of the T.B. Hospital at Tambaram. Though the couple had two daughters, both married, they had not come forward to look after their ailing parents. “In short, the complainant's life is just miserable.”
When the complainant's appeared before the commission he had made an oral representation that he and his wife would be happy if a sum was paid to them as relief on compassionate grounds.
The Chairperson said he was of the view that this was a fit case for the government to consider awarding Rs.50,000 to the complainant on compassionate grounds as the couple were not able to earn anything.
