Welfare Measures — State Obligations

7.1 Section 19 — Old Age Homes

State Government shall:

• Establish and maintain at least one Old Age Home in every district
• Each home to accommodate at least 150 destitute senior citizens
• Central Government may specify standards and facilities for old age homes

Rajasthan implementation: Rajasthan has government-run old age homes (Vriddhashram) — managed by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department. The state also supports NGO-run old age homes through grants.

7.2 Section 20 — Medical Facilities

State Government shall:

• Ensure government hospitals and medical institutions provide beds for chronically ill senior citizens
• Senior citizens shall be provided medical treatment in all government hospitals
• Take measures for medical aid to indigent senior citizens — may include mobile health units, old age camps, specialist referral

7.3 Section 21 — Protection of Life and Property

The State Government shall take measures to ensure that:

• Life and property of senior citizens are protected — including protection against physical violence, exploitation, and abandonment
• Police and local authorities are sensitised to respond to complaints by senior citizens

7.4 Section 22 — Awareness

The State Government shall take measures for publicising:

• Provisions of the Act in local languages
• Rights of senior citizens
• Duties of children and relatives

Rajasthan initiatives:

• Rajasthan Senior Citizen Policy — state-specific policy for elderly welfare
• Mukhyamantri Vriddhjan Samman Pension Yojana — pension for elderly BPL persons
• Palanhar Yojana (for dependent elderly)

---