Publicize senior citizen welfare Act, HC raps Maharashtra government MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Friday chided the state government for failing to properly publicize a legislation meant for the welfare of senior citizens. We dont want a state where the Act is there, but it is in cold storage, said a division bench of Justice Anoop Mohta and Justice Nitin Jamdar while hearing a PIL by Mission Justice for implementing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act 2007. The NGO claimed the government has done little to implement the Act, which provides facilities for the elderly, such as setting up old age homes and for parents to seek maintenance from their kids. Government pleader D A Nalawade said rules have been framed under the Act and welfare schemes are being implemented. They (government) must take steps. They should at least start with awareness, said Justice Mohta. There are 75 lakh senior citizens in Maharashtra. In its affidavit detailing the measures taken, the government said it has formulated a Senior Citizen Policy 2013 where the age is prescribed at 65 years. But as the state has received representations to reduce the age limit to 60 years to bring it on a par with the Centres policy, a proposal will be submitted to the recently formed government. It added that 115 tribunals have been set up across Maharashtra, but Justice Mohta asked, Why are people not aware of this? The HC then directed the government to put up basic information about the Act and the schemes online within a week.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:26:54 +0000
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