No point running schemes for the elderly, publicise them: Bombay High Court to Maharashtra government

The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the state to give wide publicity and raise awareness of various benefits and schemes meant for senior citizens within one week.

A division bench of justices Anoop Mohta and N M Jamdar said, "Citizens will laugh at you if you don't give wide publicity to the schemes even after framing them. The delay in implementation is a serious issue and you (state) take steps immediately."

The court gave the direction while hearing public interest litigation (PIL) that sought proper publicity for the Maintenance and Welfare of the Parents and Senior Citizens Act and its effective implementation. Anyone above 60 is considered as a senior citizen.

The state government in an affidavit filed by Dinesh Dingle, deputy secretary of Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, stated that the government had implemented several schemes to help elderly. Thus efforts are being taken as per the rules framed under the Act. The affidavit also states that the state has a senior citizen population of 74.64 lakh.

Petitioner, non-profit group Mission Justice, has sought directions be given to the state and the Centre on implementation of different aspects of the Act, which allows senior citizens to apply for maintenance from their children, provisions for their medical care, setting up of old-age homes, among other things.

The government affidavit state said that there are 62 centrally sponsored old-age homes, benefiting a total of 1550 citizens. The state is also running 39 such homes, while NGOs run 92. The court has now adjourned the hearing of the petition by a week.