Twitter
Advertisement

Build old-age homes on PPP model: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday suggested the State Government to enter into a public-private partnership and build large old age homes for the benefit of senior citizens.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday suggested the State Government to enter into a public-private partnership and build large old age homes for the benefit of senior citizens.

A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Ajey Gadkari said "You (state) can take the help of corporate houses; the preamble to the act for the welfare of senior citizen says that withering of joint family system is leading to old age person not being taken care. The state has to go beyond the scope of the act; positive steps have to be taken."

The bench also directed the government to give wide publicity to the list of old age homes available in the state, also consider putting the listing on the government website for easy referral. There are 62 centrally sponsored old age homes, a total of 1550 people are benefiting from it. The state is also running 39-old age home and 92 are being run by NGO's.

The court suggested the government to consider formulating a composite scheme to ensure proper implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of the Parents and Senior Citizens Act. The court suggested to the government to carry out a survey of the old age homes and check the facilities offered there. Further clearly define the age of senior citizens.

The suggestions were made during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation filed by an NGO Mission Justice that has sought proper publicity for the Maintenance and Welfare of the Parents and Senior Citizens Act and its effective implementation.

Advocate Siddharth Murarka appearing for the NO argued that no publicity was given to the old age homes and senior citizens were being deprived of their rights. To which the court said "The state has to be considerate to the needs of the age persons. It is a vital issue."

The government in an affidavit filed earlier has said that several schemes extending assistance to senior citizens have been implemented. Thus efforts are being taken as per the rules framed under the act.

The PIL seeks directions be given to the state and Centre on implementing different aspects of the Act, which allows aged parents to apply for maintenance from their children, provisions for their medical care, setting up of old age homes, among other things. A senior citizen would be someone who has crossed 60 years of age.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement