The law protecting neglected senior citizens and parents just got more teeth. The government has made it mandatory for states to set up tribunals to help elderly citizens abandoned by their families. The tribunals will be empowered to direct families to pay a maintenance allowance to senior citizens and parents, even if parents are less than 60 years of age.
The social justice and empowerment ministry, led by Meira Kumar, also decided to allot Rs 600 crore for 150-bed old-age homes in 300 districts over the next five years.
India has 473 old-age homes, with most unable to cater to more than 50 people at a time.
Kumar is pushing to expand resources and coverage for non-government organisations working for the elderly as well. India has 8.1 crore senior citizens, a number projected to rise to 17.6 crore by 2025.
A bill - the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill - pending in Parliament from March provides for tribunals at the sub-division level. However, it was up to the state government's good sense to constitute the tribunals. If the state did not take the initiative, the bill would not benefit seniors.
Last week, Kumar moved the Union Cabinet to address this concern. "The amendments cleared by the Cabinet now make it incumbent on state gov ernments to set up the tribunals within six months of the law being enforced," a senior government official told HT.
The amendments also ensure that the tribunals wrap up cases within a maximum of 120 days. Earlier, the limit was 90 days, with no bar on exceeding the deadline. "The amendments will be moved in the Lok Sabha when the proposal is taken up for passage during the Winter Session," the official added.
OLD & LONELY IN INDIA94% of the elderly have at least one living child,
only 32% live with them.
65% of the elderly are financially dependent on others.
46% of 60+ men and 85% of 60+ women are financially dependent on others.
80% of the elderly are bed-ridden or confined to their homes. By Aloke Tikku
Copyright HT Media Ltd. 2007
