Not just children, but sons and daughters-in-law responsible for the aged, proposes Bill

Currently, caregivers can face a jail term of up to three months in the case of a violation. The current Bill proposes to increase that to six months.

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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a bill to amend a law which governs the welfare of senior citizens. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides basic needs, safety and security to senior citizens.

The Bill, which will soon be tabled in the Parliament, proposes the registration and maintenance of minimum standards of senior citizens' care homes, besides registration of homecare service agencies.

According to the Times of India, the government has decided to expand the definition of caregivers under the Bill. Under the new definition, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and not just biological children, are responsible for the welfare of the elderly.

The Bill also proposes to remove the cap of Rs 10,000 that can be given for the welfare of parents as maintenance, reports stated.

The Bill seeks to amend the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act, 2007, and proposes that senior citizens care homes register, and uphold a minimum standard. It also seeks to register homecare service agencies.

It also seeks the appointment of a nodal police officer at every police station for the care of senior citizens.

Furthermore, it proposes that at the district level, a special police unit be created for the elderly. It also recommends the creation of a helpline.

As things currently are, caregivers can face a jail term of up to three months in the case of a violation. The current Bill proposes to increase that to six months.

The legislation was first passed in 2007, which according to PRS Legislative Research, made it a legal obligation for children and heirs to provide maintenance. Not paying the monthly allowance would elicit a punishment of Rs 5,000 or up to three months imprisonment or both. Senior citizens unable to maintain themselves also have the right to apply to a maintenance tribunal to seek a monthly allowance from their children or heirs. “Parents”, in this case, include biological, adoptive or step parents.

With PTI inputs