Cabinet Approves Changes in Senior Citizens Law: Not Just Biological Kids, But Children-in-Law to Also be Responsible For Taking Care of Aged
The Bill is intended to ensure the dignity of parents and senior citizens. The Bill also includes adoptive children, stepson, and stepdaughters. The amount of maintenance may be decided on the basis of the salary and the standard of living of the senior citizen or the relative
New Delhi, December 5: Under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, the government of India has decided to expand the definition of caregivers. The Bill got its Cabinet nod on Wednesday by making not only the biological children but also the son-in-law and daughter-in-law responsible for looking after the aged people. The legislation will be tabled in Parliament soon.
According to a Times of India report, the Act has been amended to include parents-in-law and grandparents, whether or not senior citizens. The Bill also proposes to remove the maximum cap of Rs 10,000 as maintenance. Those who fail to abide by the new law can face a jail term of a maximum of six months. A senior citizen who is unable to maintain himself from his earnings or properties is entitled to get relief under this Act. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2019: Startling Facts About How Senior Citizens Are Mistreated.
The Bill is intended to ensure the dignity of parents and senior citizens. The Bill also includes adoptive children, stepson, and stepdaughters. The amount of maintenance may be decided on the basis of the salary and the standard of living of the senior citizen or the relative. If a senior citizen fails to get relief, then he/she can seek the assistance of a Tribunal constituted under this Act to enforce the remedy of maintenance.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 05, 2019 01:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).