Punjab boosts legal shield for senior citizens with faster maintenance relief
The Punjab government on Saturday said it is strengthening legal protection for senior citizens under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act
The Punjab government on Saturday said it is strengthening legal protection for senior citizens under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, with a focus on speedy justice, protection of property rights and stronger institutional support. Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur said the Bhagwant Mann government was committed to safeguarding the rights and welfare of elderly people across the state. Read Full Story She said the Act provides a legal mechanism to protect senior citizens from neglect, abandonment and financial insecurity, and makes children and legal heirs legally and morally responsible for maintaining parents who cannot support themselves.
The minister said elderly people can seek monthly maintenance through a simple and time-bound process without going through lengthy legal proceedings. Dr Kaur said senior citizens facing emotional, legal or physical distress can seek free assistance through the state's Elder Line helpline, 14567. She also directed officials to organise district-level awareness campaigns to educate senior citizens about their legal rights and welfare schemes, and called for the participation of NGOs and prominent citizens. The minister said the government regularly organises health camps to provide free medical check-ups and healthcare services to senior citizens near their homes. She said parents and senior citizens seeking maintenance or legal protection under the Act can file complaints with the District Social Security Officer or the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate, who functions as the Maintenance Tribunal for speedy disposal of cases.
Applications can also be filed through authorised representatives or recognised NGOs, she said, making the complaint process more accessible. Dr Kaur added that the Act contains strict provisions against those who neglect or mistreat senior citizens. She said if an elderly person transfers property on the condition of receiving care and maintenance, and the recipient fails to fulfil that obligation, the Maintenance Tribunal can declare the transfer or gift deed void. The Act also provides for the setting up of old-age homes and the appointment of Maintenance Officers to strengthen support for senior citizens, she said. Appealing to people to care for elderly family members, Dr Kaur said respecting and supporting senior citizens is not only a legal responsibility but also a reflection of Punjab's cultural and moral values.
The BriefWire