G N S on PLIGHT OF SENIOR CITIZENS

I read with interest the post of DGK on senior citizens' plight in their advanced years due to neglect on the part of their own children.  It  is true that the basic cause for the miseries of Sr.citizens particularly in regard to their physical and financial security ,is the breakage of the age old joint family system.The daughter in law factor however does not become the mainly relevant issue these days.

 Sr. Citizens come under three broad categories of

1.Pensioners ,
2.non pensioners and
3.those who constitute the socially and economically underprivileged sections of the society.

 The first two categories are ,by and large , clever enough to avert the commonly perceived miseries in old age by compromising with or surrendering to their tormentors. It is only the last category that requires state support with legislative backing to lead a life of dignity and face affronts from sources referred to by DGK.

The govt has openly proclaimed 'policies' for women ,children and other sections but no defined welfare schemes for senior citizens.Why not a Senior citizens' Welfare commission to go into the matter ?

At present the protection through legislation is available to a limited extent only through the following three measures viz

1.Amendment to sec 125 (1)(2) of the criminal procedure code making it incumbent for a person having sufficient means to take care of his father or mother when they are unable to maintain themselves.

2.Hindu adoption and maintenance Act & Hindu minority and guardianship Act to prevent the hard earned properties getting into the hands of others instead of persons of their own choice and

 3 Maintenance and welfare of parents & senior citizens Act.

It is in respect of the third mentioned item that some amendments are proposed and if they are implemented it will be a good beginning. But,the question is whether and when the BILL will get converted into a statute

 .Let us wait and see what the new govt. (be it 'Modi sarkar fir ek bar' or a govt of the vociferous opposition parties) will do !!


-GNSridharan