Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Oct 7: Abandoning or neglecting parents could land offenders in jail for up to three months and attract a fine of Rs 5,000, Udupi deputy commissioner Swaroopa T K said, stressing the need for stronger protection and support for senior citizens.

The government has enacted laws and introduced several programmes to ensure that senior citizens can live safely and with dignity, but their effective implementation by officials is crucial, she said.

Swaroopa was speaking at the district-level committee meeting held under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, at the deputy commissioner's office auditorium in Udupi.

Udupi DC Swaroopa T K (file picture)

“If children or parents are found neglecting or abandoning each other, there is provision under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act to impose a sentence of three months' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000,” she said.

Senior citizens to get priority

Swaroopa directed officials to ensure the prompt disposal of applications concerning the maintenance and welfare of senior citizens and the protection of their property when such cases come before the tribunal.

She said a revised list of 2,870 senior citizens across the jurisdiction of every police station in the district, including those living alone, is being maintained.

Beat police personnel should visit their homes once a week to check on their welfare, she said, adding that any problems faced by the elderly should receive priority attention from the police.

Government and private hospitals should also provide treatment to senior citizens on a priority basis, she directed.

Additional deputy commissioner Abid Gadyal, district health officer Dr Basavaraj Hubballi, assistant commissioner Rashmi S R, District Disabled Welfare Officer Ratna, Women and Child Development Department deputy director Premamurthy K, District Information officer Manjunath B, other district-level officials and representatives of voluntary organisations attended the meeting.

Awareness on property rights stressed

The deputy commissioner said many senior citizens transfer their self-acquired property to their children or relatives through gift deeds. In some cases, however, they may subsequently be denied proper care and maintenance.

She also pointed to the possibility of property documents being created fraudulently. In such circumstances, the law provides an avenue for the documents to be declared invalid and cancelled. Swaroopa called for greater awareness among senior citizens about this legal protection.

She further directed officials to organise awareness programmes in schools and colleges highlighting the bond between senior citizens and younger generations and encouraging respect and positive values towards the elderly.

The measures, she said, should help ensure that senior citizens are not only legally protected but also able to live with dignity, security and proper care.