Law for Welfare of Senior Citizens

Concerned with the instances of neglect of old age parents by their children, the Government had enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in December, 2007 which, inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents/senior citizens by children/relatives obligatory and justifiable through Tribunals; provides for revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of negligence by children/relatives; penal provisions for abandonment of senior citizens; medical facilities for senior citizens; and protection of life and property of senior citizens. 

So far, the Act has been notified by all States and UTs. However, the Act is not applicable to the State of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has its own Act for Senior Citizens. Under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 so far, 24 States and 6 Union Territories have established Appellate Tribunals. 

Further, the Ministry has been making efforts by persuading the States/UTs from time to time to effectively implement the Act in letter and spirit so that the senior citizens are benefited in their respective States/UTs. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Sudarshan Bhagat in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha here today.