Page 30 - Seniors Today Jan20 Issue

state government. The central government will
prescribe minimum standards for these homes,
such as food, infrastructure, and medical
facilities.
The Act provides for certain facilities (such as
separate queues, beds, and facilities for geriatric
patients) for senior citizens in government
hospitals. The Bill requires all hospitals,
including private organisations, to provide these
facilities for senior citizens. Also, homecare
facilities will be provided for senior citizens
with disabilities.
The Bill requires every police station to have at
The Bill amends the definition of parents, and also includes
parents-in-law and grandparents least one officer, not below the rank of Assistant
earnings of the children. The Bill also reduces Sub-Inspector, to deal with issues related to
the number of days to deposit the maintenance parents and senior citizens. State governments
amount to 15. must constitute a special police unit for senior
With regard to Appeals, the Act provides for citizens in every district. The unit will be headed
senior citizens or parents to appeal the decisions by a police officer not below the rank of Deputy
of the Tribunal. The Bill allows children Superintendent of Police.
and relatives also to appeal decisions of the (Source: PRS)
Tribunal.
Under the Act, abandonment of a senior citizen
or parent is punishable with imprisonment of
up to three months, or a fine of up to Rs 5,000,
or both. The Bill increases the imprisonment to
between three and six months, or fine of up to
Rs 10,000, or both. The Bill also provides that if
the children or relatives fail to comply with the
maintenance order, the Tribunal may issue a
warrant to levy the due amount. Failure to pay
such fine may lead to imprisonment of up to one
month, or until the payment is made, whichever
is earlier.

Compliance with orders
The Act provides for a maintenance officer
to represent a parent during proceedings of
the Tribunal. The Bill requires maintenance
officers to ensure compliance with orders on
maintenance payments, and to act as a liaison
for parents or senior citizens.
Under the Act, state governments may set
up old age homes. The Bill removes this and
provides for senior citizen care homes which
may be set up by government or private
organisations. These homes must be registered Provisions of the Act include certain facilities for senior
with a registration authority set up by the citizens in government hospitals
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