Mandatory Care of Old-Aged Parents

Instances of old-aged parents being abandoned by their children are reported in news papers from time to time. The Government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in December 2007. The Act, inter-alia, makes maintenance of parents and senior citizens by children/relatives obligatory and enforceable through tribunals. The Act comes into force in a State on such date as the State Government may appoint. States/UTs which have notified the Act are required to, inter-alia, appoint Maintenance Officers and constitute Maintenance and Appellate Tribunals. All States and Union Territories have notified the Act except Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Himachal Pradesh (HP). The Act does not extend to J&K, HP has its own State Act.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Manikrao Hodlya Gavit in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha. 

Source : PIB Release, 12.12.13