Welfare schemes should be broadly construed to fulfill their objectives; evidence-based decisions are needed, avoiding arbitrary rejections.

JUDGMENT :

Swarupama Chaturvedi, J.

1. Heard Sri Shams Uz Zaman, learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel for the State respondents.

2. This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been filed by the petitioner seeking issuance of an appropriate writ, or direction in the nature of certiorari quashing the impugned order dated 24.06.2022 passed by the respondent no. 3, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Bidhuna, District Auraiya, whereby the claim of the petitioner under the 'Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana' has been rejected, and further praying for a direction in the nature of mandamus to the respondent no. 2 to forthwith process and grant the admissible financial assistance/compensation to the petitioner under the aforesaid scheme along with statutory interest.

3. Brief facts of the case are that on 21.02.2022, the father of the petitioner, namely Late Ajay Kumar Singh met with a tragic accident near Rambharna Railway Track and died on the spot after being hit by a moving train, resulting in multiple grievous injuries. The incident was duly reported to the local police and the concerned railway authorities.

4. It is a matter of fact that the State Government has brought a welfare scheme known as 'Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana' to provide financial assistance to the families of farmers who die in accidents. In this regard, the Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, issued a Government Order dated 28.02.2020 laying down the guidelines for extending benefits under the said scheme. Accordingly, after the death of his father, the petitioner submitted a claim under the aforesaid scheme after completing all required formalities.

5. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner submitted an application before the Tehsil Office, Bidhuna under the Mukhya Mantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojna, 2020, enclosing all necessary documents stating that his father Ajay Kumar Singh died accidentally after being hit by a train near Rambharna Railway Track. It is stated that the Death Certificate of the deceased Ajay Kumar Singh, issued by the competent authority on 23.03.2022, confirms that the death occurred due to accidental injuries.

6. It was further submitted that the Family Register (Parivar Register) issued by the competent revenue authority on 26.03.2022 recorded the names of the deceased Ajay Kumar Singh and his legal heirs, including the petitioner Pramod Kumar Singh, thereby establishing the petitioner's status as the lawful heir entitled to claim benefits under the Mukhya Mantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojna, 2020. As per the Station Master's memo and subsequent investigation conducted by the concerned police authorities, it has been clearly recorded that the deceased Ajay Kumar Singh died due to grievous injuries sustained in a train accident and pursuant thereto, a Panchnama was prepared and Post-Mortem Examination conducted on 22.02.2022, which establishes that the cause of death was accidental in nature resulting from multiple injuries for being hit by a moving train. There is no finding of suicide or any other foul play by a third party, thereby substantiating that the death squarely falls within the ambit of an "accidental death" as defined under Clause 2 of the Mukhya Mantri Krishak Durghatna Kaly