Maintenance And Welfare Of Parents And Senior Citizens

The population of the elderly persons has been increasing over the years. In India also, about 8% of the total population is above 60 years. The figure will cross 18% Mark by 2025.

- Dr. Sailaja. Petikam

Senior citizens faced number of problems. Mainly they are faced economic problem due to loss of employment, income deficiency and economic insecurity. Another major problem is physical and physiological problems include health and medical problems, nutritional deficiency, and the problem of adequate housing etc. In order to protect the rights of senior citizens and old parents the Government of India provides special provisions to seniors citizens in number of legislations viz. Art’s. 41 and 46 of Constitution of India, 1950 and for maintenance under Sec.125 of Cr.P.C., 1973, and Sec.20 of Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 to Hindus and other uncodified personal laws. However, recently the Government of India enacted a separate legislation namely The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (Act N0. 56 of 2007) to provide for more effective provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens guaranteed and recognized under the Constitution and to establish special Tribunals for enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

In 1992, the UN General Assembly adopted the proclamation to observe the year 1999 as the International Year of the Older Persons. The U.N. General Assembly has declared “1st October” as the International Day of the Older Persons. The U.N. General Assembly on December 16, 1991 adopted 18 principles which are organized into five clusters, namely- independence, participation, care, self fulfillment and dignity of the older parents.