Definition Of Caregivers Expanded For Maintenance Of Senior Citizens

Under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007, the government has decided to expand the definition of caregivers. The government has decided to include sons-in-law and the daughters-in-law along with the biological children in the definition of caregivers.

Key Takeaways:

• The Government on Wednesday decided to expand the definition of caregivers to the sons and daughters-in-law too.
• The amendments to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 were cleared by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.
• Parents and grand-parents both have to be taken care of, no matter if they are senior citizen or not.
• The bill is likely to be introduced in the parliament the next week, and might remove the cap of Rs 10,000 as maximum maintenance.

The act not only includes the biological children but also the adoptive children and the step kids.

Bill To Be Presented In Parliament Next Week

The Bill to expand the definition of caregivers will be presented in the parliament next week. The Union Cabinet has cleared the amendments by now. Also, in the amended bill, parents and grandparents both have to be taken care of, no matter if they are senior citizen or not. The bill is also likely to remove the cap of Rs 10,000 as maximum maintenance.

Jail For Six Months For Caregivers Who Do Not Comply To The Rules

The caregivers who do not comply with the rules as per the amended bill will have to face jail for around six months, despite the maximum duration for jail being three months. As per the bill, the definition of maintenance includes Housing, Safety, and security. The quantum of maintenance will be decided on the basis of how much the children earn and what are the needs of the parents and grandparents.

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Adoptive Children And Step Kids To Be Included In The Act

The act not only includes biological children but also the adoptive children and the step kids. Also, the application for maintenance has to be disposed of within 90 days from the date of receipt of the application by the tribunal. Moreover, the application will have to be disposed of within 60 days if the parents or grandparents are above 80 years of age.

Officers included in the amendment of the bill feel that the amendments will ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of the senior citizens.

Caregivers who do not comply with the rules as per the amended bill will have to face jail for around six months, despite the maximum duration for jail being three months.

Registration Of Senior Citizen Care Home

The bill also includes the provision of registration of ‘Senior Citizens Care Homes.” The central government will hence establish certain guidelines for the establishment, running, and maintenance of such care homes. Also, to reach out to senior citizens, every police station will have to appoint a nodal officer. Additionally, the application for the monthly allowance for maintenance and expenses shall be disposed of within 90 days of submission. In the case of a senior citizen above the age of 80 years, the application has to be disposed of within 60 days itself.

Picture Credit: UEA

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