Aspirant Academy

Behavior and Law

Critical Issues and Rajasthan Implementation

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 (Sections 1–25)

Paper III · Unit 3 Section 11 of 15 0 PYQs 27 min
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Critical Issues and Rajasthan Implementation

10.1 Implementation Gaps

  1. ₹10,000 cap inadequate: Medical costs alone for elderly can exceed ₹10,000/month; the central cap is seen as too low — many states have enhanced it
  2. Tribunal awareness: Many elderly persons, particularly in rural Rajasthan, unaware of the Maintenance Tribunal mechanism
  3. Enforcement: Even after orders are obtained, enforcement remains weak — children relocate or hide assets
  4. Section 23 underutilisation: Many elderly do not know they can get property transfers declared void

10.2 The 2019 Draft Amendment

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill 2019 proposed:

  • No ceiling on maintenance amount — amount based on actual needs
  • Redefine relative to include more categories
  • Private old age homes must also register and meet standards
  • Duties of children expanded to include emotional care, not just financial

(The 2019 Amendment Bill is pending as of 2024 — states may have adopted some provisions.)

10.3 Rajasthan State Measures

  • Rajasthan Maintenance Tribunal: SDMs in all districts trained
  • Mukhyamantri Vriddhjan Samman Pension Yojana: Monthly pension for BPL elderly
  • Rajasthan Senior Citizen Health Card: Free medicines and treatment at government hospitals
  • Sampark Portal: Single window for senior citizen welfare complaints
  • Vriddhashrams (Old Age Homes): Government-run in all districts; also private sector supported through grants