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Twelve States have so far supported in principal the proposed Model Central Legislation for promoting, maintenance, care and protection of older persons. This was stated by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Smt. Meira Kumar while talking to a group of journalists here today. She said that these states viz., Chhatisgarh, West Bengal, Assam, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh have also sent in their views and comments.
Smt. Meira Kumar said that the proposed Bill being formulated by her Ministry would be introduced in Parliament during the Winter Session provided the remaining States send their comments soon. She said that the objective of the proposed legislation is to provide need based maintenance to the elderly and ensure them minimum level of financial security. The Minister said that the proposed Bill while making a provision for adequate old age pension would ensure that all aged persons living below poverty line receive the same to meet their basic needs. She said that Centre would favour a uniform amount of pension in all States as well as a uniform age of 60 years for eligibility. The Minister said that proposed legislation would also have provision for health care for aged persons. This will include setting up of a well-equipped geriatric ward in each district hospital. The other salient features of the Bill is setting up of old age home in each district and to provide mechanism of protection of life and property of older persons.
Smt. Kumar said that the objective of the ‘maintenance’ clause of the proposed legislation is to create an enabling mechanism for the older persons to claim need based maintenance from their children including step children/adopted children and grand children. She said that the legislation will provide for setting up of Tribunals in each district headed by SDM as an enforcement mechanism for claiming maintenance by older persons. The Tribunal will decide on each application in a period not exceeding six months. The Tribunals will also look into the cases of neglect, personal injury and mental cruelty.
Smt. Meira Kumar aid that comments have also been sought from leading NGOs, experts and organisations of older persons on the proposed legislation. A conference in Southern region was held at Bangalore last month to seek views of stakeholders. A similar conference is being held for Eastern region in Bhubaneshwar on 12th September, 2005.
MLD:LK:L-54(model legislation)(8.9)
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