New Delhi, September 30
Elderly parents will soon have provision for a fast-track and cost-free legal remedy against neglect by their children. For this, they will just have to complain to tribunals, to be set up soon to consider and dispose of their claims for maintenance in a time-bound manner.
These provisions are part of a legislation for ensuring care of the elderly by their children, which is being drawn up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Work on the legislation is going at a fast pace and it is expected to be ready soon.
Care of the elderly happens to be one of the thrust areas of the ministry, identified by the Prime Minister’s Office. An officer of the rank of Subdivisional Officer will head these tribunals, while the District Magistrate will be the appellate authority.
Lawyers will be barred from proceedings of the tribunals so that the elderly do not have to spend money on them and ensure that cases are not dragged on.
The proposed Bill also seeks to ensure better medical facilities to senior citizens and has special provisions for protection of their life and property and setting up of old-age homes in each district for the destitute elderly persons. The ministry has set up the National Council for Older Persons to advise and aid the government on policies and programmes for them and provide a feedback on the implementation of the national policy for older persons.
