Question : Neglect of Senior Citizens

(a) whether the Government is aware that a large number of senior citizens are deserted by their children and relatives in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study in this regard, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government has taken any action against the said perpetrators and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has initiated any rehabilitation programme for such senior citizen; and

(f) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)
(a) to (f) : Yes, Madam. However, as informed by National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, no data in this regard is maintained. State/UT-wise and Crime Head-wise cases registered, cases charge-sheeted, cases convicted, conviction rate, persons arrested, persons charge-sheeted and persons convicted under total IPC crimes against Senior Citizens during 2014-2016 is enclosed as Annexure-I & II respectively.
As per information received from the Ministry of Home Affairs, ‘Police’ and ‘public order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens rest primarily with the respective State Governments. The State Governments are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws.
The Union Government, however, attaches highest importance regarding the crime against senior citizens, therefore, has continued to urge to the State Governments/UT Administrations to give more focused attention towards measures to be taken in this regard. Ministry of Home Affairs conveys Legislative interventions, directions of Courts and measures required to be taken by States/UTs through advisories.

The Government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 which, inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents/senior citizens by their children/relatives obligatory and justiciable through Tribunals; provides for revocation of transfer of property by senior citizens in case of neglect by children/relatives; penal provisions for abandonment of senior citizens, medical facilities for senior citizens and protection of life and property of senior citizens.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements a Central Sector Scheme of IPSrC {previously known as Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP)} under which grants in aid are given for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens Homes (Old Age Homes including Senior Citizens Home for 50 elderly women (earlier known as multi facility care centre for older widows)), Continuous Care Homes, Mobile Medicare Units, physiotherapy clinics, etc to the Implementing Agencies (IAs) such as State Governments / Union Territory Administrations (through Registered Societies)/ Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) / Local bodies; Non-Governmental/Voluntary Organizations.


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