Maintenance of elderly gets priority

With the sub-divisional official (SDOs) at tehsil level getting the judicial powers to hear the cases of the maintenance to the senior citizens abandoned by their kids, the state may experience expedition of such cases from May 1.

The social justice department on Thursday, decided to empower the lower officials with the judicial powers and implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The minister of state for social welfare Sachin Ahir claimed that the Maharashtra was the first state to implement the act.

Senior citizens who have been abandoned by their children can claim for the maintenance as per the act.

“With the powers given at the lower levels, the cases are expected to be expedited and the results are given at the earliest. There would be provision of appeal in the high court on the orders given by the SDOs,” Ahir said.

The department is also framing a policy to streamline the implementation of the schemes and initiatives meant for the senior citizens.

“Apart from implementing the lowered age criterion — from 65 to 60 there are numerous other schemes in the pipeline. The department is planning an authority, state level committees to ensure that the schemes meant for the senior citizens are implemented,” said
an official.

The policy is expected to befinalised by August 15.