By TCN Staff Reporter,
Patna: To discourage people from neglecting their parents, the state government has decided to implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 – the state law makes the neglect of parents by their children a cognizable offence. The offenders will get a jail sentence of three months or have to pay a fine of Rs 5000 or both.
The state cabinet on 20th September gave its nod for the implementation of the law.
In case of childless senior citizens, the law will be applied to their legal heirs who will be responsible for their maintenance including food, clothing and medical expenses.
The Act has a provision for one or more tribunal in each sub-division headed by SDO concerned. The SDO will decide the maintenance amount. However, children or legal heirs can take up their grievance if any to the family court.
Besides, the law also provides establishment of an old age home in every district of the state. Each old age home will be able to accommodate 150 BPL category parents and senior citizens.