Friday, 17 May, 2024
By: Yash Gupte
Maharashtra registered highest number of crimes against senior citizens. Image Source: IANS
Rather than including step-children, adopted children and others in the category of “children”, the government will be focusing on the old age homes for the elderly and other such similar services but the most important and significant among them is generating awareness about protecting the lives and property of the senior citizens.
There is a shift of perspective within the government regarding enacting legal changes three years after the Central government introduced the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Social Welfare (Amendment) Bill to broaden the scope of social security for the elderly by making son-in-laws, daughters-in-law, and distant relatives also responsible for taking care. The bill, which was presented to Loksabha on December 11, 2019, included stepchildren, adopted children, and children-in-law in the definition of "children" and obligated them to care for elderly parents. Additionally, it abolished the cap of Rs. 10,000 per month on parent maintenance payments and set rules for private nursing facilities and other organizations that provide aged care in their homes.
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 define senior citizens as the Indian citizens who have attained the age of 60 years or above. Senior government authorities noted that this bill could result in unnecessary family disputes that may harmful the social fabric and the family. The ministry then established expert committees to look into four key areas: hospices, home care services, standards for old-age facilities, and raising awareness about protecting elderly residents' lives and property. The ministry has developed model standards for the services based on the reports of the four committees. Ministry officials said the model standards will be circulated to the states to ensure old-age homes and home care service providers follow basic standards of care. This step was taken by the government in order to ensure security and protection to the senior citizens.
Rather than including step-children, adopted children and others in the category of “children”, the government will be focusing on the old age homes for the elderly and other such similar services but the most important and significant among them is generating awareness about protecting the lives and property of the senior citizens. This step has been taken by keeping in mind the rate of crimes committed against the elderly. The chart below shows crimes committed against senior citizens in India from 2015-2020.
Source: National Crime Records Bureau
The crimes against senior citizens in India have been continuously rising over the years. The year 2019 recorded the highest number of crimes (27,804) committed against the senior citizens. The year 2020 registered a decline not because there was decrease in crime against the senior citizens but because of the nationwide lockdown imposed due to the covid-19 pandemic. Maharashtra registered highest number of crimes against senior citizens. Talking about metropolitan cities, Mumbai witnessed the highest number of crimes against senior citizens in 2018 (1043) and 2019 (1231). Delhi surpassed Mumbai in 2020 as it registered highest number of crimes (906) while Mumbai registered 844 crimes. The NCRB data also suggested that Delhi was the only metropolitan city where cases of rape of senior citizens were registered. Four such cases were registered.
A large number of NGOs and other similar organizations have been working for the safety and protection of senior citizens but the central government and the state government need to take appropriate steps for the protection of elderly.
