Newskarnataka – Udupi
Udupi: “Children are responsible to look after their parents. Elders and Senior Citizens need not feel that they are helpless. To protect parents and elders, way back in 2007, Central Government enacted National Policy on Elderly People. Creating Public awareness on this Act is the need of the hour,” said Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag of Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi who was addressing the press conference at Vaikunta Baliga Law College.
Dr Ravindranath Shanbhag also informed that when Parents/ Senior Citizens are unable to sustain themselves from their assets/ earnings/savings, they should be looked after by their children by providing food, clothing and shelter. In case the Elders are issue less, legal successors for their inheritance should look after them. If in case the children are not coming forward voluntarily to take care of the parents/elders then Parents are free to lodge their claim for maintenance from the children by lodging their complaints to the Forum set up for such purposes. It is the desecration of the Forum to decide on the quantum of such allowance. When the Forum receives the petitions from Parents/Elderly people within 90 days they have to dispose of the cases. Departmental Head of Social Welfare Office attached to each district is designated as the head of such Forum.
He also said that in case the person responsible to look after the parents/elders, discard the elders or disown his responsibility the Forum is empowered to impose fine up to Rs 5000/- and impression up to three months. It may be noted that the opposite party or the accused will not have the privilege of seeking Lawyers service.
Law has provided that in case Parents/Elders handicapped/disabled Senior Citizens, who are of the opinion that they are subjected to injustice, can approach the Forum through NGOs, he added.
Human Rights Foundation, Udupi has lodged complaint to Forum at Kundapura on behalf of Savithri Amma, against her son. Dr Shanbhag has reiterated that elderly persons need not feel that they are helpless but full protection will be ensured.
