Dehradun: As ageing becomes a growing social challenge, many elderly individuals in Uttarakhand are facing emotional neglect and lack of physical and financial support from their children.
In response, the elderly, exhausted by the harassment from their sons and daughters-in-law, are turning to the DM office and complaint cell to lodge grievances. Every week, 15 to 20 new cases are reported in Uttarakhand’s capital Dehradun.
Files at the DM’s Office are piling up with complaints of these atrocities
The atrocities committed by sons and daughters-in-law on their parents are bringing shame to Uttarakhand, revered as Devbhoomi. Complaints of these atrocities are piling up at the Collector’s Office. Every Monday, during public hearings, at least one elderly person, fed up with harassment, reaches out to the DM. Similarly, the complaint cell receives 15 to 20 cases weekly from elderly individuals reporting mistreatment by their sons and daughters-in-law.
District Magistrate gave instructions to take action
In Dehradun, numerous cases of elderly parents against their sons and daughters-in-law are pending in the City Magistrate Court. During a public hearing in November, an elderly woman lodged a complaint with DM Savin Bansal, reporting harassment by her sons. The poor lady, who was beaten up by her sons, was not allowed to live in the house she had built. Upon hearing her plight, the DM immediately instructed the Crime Superintendent of Police to take action.
In another instance, an elderly woman informed the DM that her sons were unwilling to keep her at home. Her daughter-in-law and sons had tortured her, denied her proper food, and she lacked money for medical treatment. The DM directed the Sub-District Magistrate Sadar to assist the elderly mother under the Maintenance Act and take action against her sons.
Maintenance and Welfare Act for elderly people
In 2007, the Government of India enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act to ensure the security, medical treatment, and living conditions of the elderly. This legislation serves as a support system for senior citizens, allowing those aged 60 and above to benefit from its provisions.
Rights Granted Under the Act
Section 2D: Applies to birth parents, adoptive parents, stepmothers, and stepfathers.
Section 2G: If senior citizens have no children, their maintenance will be provided by their relatives who are entitled to their property.
Section 5: Senior citizens neglected by their children or relatives can file complaints with the SDM Court (Tribunal), which must decide within 90 days. The tribunal can set an interim maintenance allowance of up to ten thousand rupees. Non-payment can result in imprisonment. If the claimant neglects the elder, they will not receive the property.
Responsibilities of the State Government
Section 19: The state government must establish at least one old age home per district, each with a capacity of 150 people, providing accommodation, food, medical care, and entertainment for senior citizens.
Section 20: The state government must reserve beds in district government hospitals for senior citizens.
Section 23: If children are given property by their parents but do not care for them, the property will revert to the parents.
