INDIA: State decides to implement Central law on senior citizen welfare

. GANDHINAGAR, Gujarat / The Indian Express / May 27, 2009 The Government of the Indian state of Gujarat has decided to implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens’ Act, 2007 enacted by the Central government. The state Social Justice and Empowerment Department has issued a notification to implement the Act across Gujarat. It is already implemented in 11 other states – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tripura, Orissa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Delhi, Assam and Jharkhand. A senior official in the department said on Tuesday that for this, the government has made rules called the Gujarat Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules, 2009. If children or relatives are found to be neglecting or refusing to maintain a senior citizen, the Tribunal will order such children/relatives to pay a monthly allowance of Rs 5,000 to the senior citizen. In case of any violation, the Tribunal shall have all the powers of a civil court to act against any defaulting children or relatives of a senior citizen. The government will constitute an Appellate Tribunal for each district to hear the appeal from persons aggrieved, by an order of the Tribunal. The government will confer power on a district magistrate in each district to ensure that provisions of the Act are implemented properly. It is also decided to designate the district social defence officers as maintenance officers in each district. Under the provisions made by the Gujarat government, a Tribunal to be headed by an officer not below the rank of sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) will be constituted in each of the sub-division areas of the state. © 2009 The Indian Express Limited.