Page 40 - Seniors Today Febuary 2020

Toolkit

Are we in

safe hands?

Sonavi Kher Desai talks to D Sivanandhan, former DGP, Maharashtra, about
police and the security of senior citizens

With the substantial increase in the number of
senior citizens in India, the issue of their safety
and security requires attention. Crimes against,
and abuse of, seniors is on the rise as reflected in
the 2018 report of the NGO, HelpAge.
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and
Senior Citizens Act was enacted in 2007 to
safeguard rights of seniors. On 11 December
2019, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents
and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill was
introduced in the Lok Sabha. One of the
provisions in the Bill requires every police D Sivanandhan, former DGP, Maharashtra,
station to have at least one officer, not below the
rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector, to deal with Q. If a senior citizen is being harassed by
issues related to parents and senior citizens. children or relatives, can they approach the
State governments must constitute a special police for help?
police unit for senior citizens in every district. A. All citizens have equal rights under the law
The unit will be headed by a police officer not of the land. In case of crimes such as robbery,
below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of cyber-crime, or an attack, they can report to the
Police. police like any other citizen. Vulnerable citizens,
How would this help seniors? How can they such as senior citizens, women, and children,
ensure their safety and what is the role played are looked after more as they are considered
by the police? D Sivanandhan, former DGP, weaker. However, seniors can request special
Maharashtra, gives us pointers with respect to attention from the police as per the new
the security of senior citizens. amendment made on 11 December 2019.
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