People who abandon parents or neglect their basic needs or otherwise maltreat them in their twilight years will have to face three months of imprisonment and a penalty of up to Rs 5,000.
The provision is now enshrined in the new legislation passed by Parliament into law on Thursday. The law — Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007 — also talks about setting up an appropriate mechanism to provide need-based maintenance to parents and senior citizens once they attain the age of 60.
"The Bill provides for three months jail term if children do not look after old parents. The penal provision is meant to act as a deterrent," social justice and empowerment minister Meira Kumar told RS which later passed the legislation by a voice vote following a number of emotional remarks made by members.
Besides penal provision which talks about imprisonment up to three months or fine up to Rs 5,000, the law also gives power to the tribunals to "disinherit" the children if the senior citizens desire so.
No comments:
Post a Comment