To ensure greater access to legal protection and care for the senior citizens in the country, who feel severely exposed to exploitation both at home and outside, the Government is planning to introduce a new legislation.
“We are planning to come out with legal provisions to ensure that the elderly people remain happy and healthy. We will come out with the measures by March, 2015. There should be a speedy and simple justice system for them and we are working to make that available,” said Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.
“They are a vulnerable population and need protection. We need to simplify judicial redressal processes for them and take it at their doorstep,” he said. Gehlot was briefing reporters on the sidelines of an event here in connection with the International Day for Older Persons.
Pointing at the several legal provisions available for the welfare of senior citizens, Gehlot said that measures also exist for the prosecution of those offspring who do not take care of their elderly parents.
Earlier, addressing the gathering on the occasion, Gehlot stressed on the need for children to take care of their parents.
Sudhir Bhargava, Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, underlined the need to have professional caregivers in the country as the number of people above 80 years of age was on the rise in India.
“We need to have caregivers who are committed, skilled and compassionate and take care of people above the age of 80 years. If you see the growth of population, especially of those above 80 years, that is among the highest,” said Bhargava.