Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reaffirmed the state government's commitment to the welfare and dignity of senior citizens.
In a press release issued by the Chief Minister's Office, a special appeal was made to elderly individuals who feel neglected in their living arrangements, encouraging them to reach out to their nearest Maintenance Tribunal or District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) for assistance.
"The government is committed to providing dignity and protection to senior citizens," CM Dhami stated. As part of this effort, District Magistrates have been designated as presiding officers of district-level appellate tribunals to address and resolve issues concerning senior citizens. They have been directed to promptly dispose of related complaints.
CM Dhami instructed officials of the Social Welfare Department to ensure effective implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (MWPSC Act, 2007). “This Act provides a legal system of maintenance to senior citizens and parents from their children, adult grandchildren or property heirs,” he said.
To enforce this law, the state currently operates 13 Appellate Maintenance Tribunals at the district level and over 69 Maintenance Tribunals at the sub-division level. These bodies have the authority to determine a monthly maintenance amount of up to ₹10,000.
“The presiding officer of the District Level Appellate Tribunal is the District Magistrate, so he has the responsibility to provide justice to senior citizens by strictly implementing this law,” the Chief Minister said. He further informed that at the tehsil level, Sub-Divisional Magistrates have been appointed as presiding officers of the maintenance tribunals, while DSWOs serve as ex-officio maintenance officers.
The Chief Minister also highlighted a crucial provision under the Act, stating, “If a senior citizen transfers property on the condition of care, but after this the stipulated conditions are not fulfilled, then the tribunal can declare that transfer invalid and ensure the return of the property.”
Additionally, the state government is running free old age and disabled homes in Bageshwar, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi districts, providing shelter and care to many needy senior citizens.