Implement provisions of sr citizens Act in 3 months: HC to UP

The Allahabad High Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to implement within three months the provisions of an Act the provides for the maintenance and welfare of senior citizens.
The court also directed the Yogi Adityanath government to set up an old age shelter home in each district of the state as per the provisions of the 'Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007'.
The legislation requires the state government to create a mechanism to provide maintenance, medical facilities to the elderly.
The High Court also directed the state government to establish tribunals and appellate tribunals, where aggrieved senior citizens can file their complaints.

The bench comprising justice Tarun Agarwala and justice Ashok Kumar passed the order in a petition filed by Janki Devi and another.
Devi was a 75-year-old lady who was looked after by one of her relatives. Due to old age she could not operate her bank accounts. The petition was filed seeking directions to the bank to allow the relative to withdraw money from Devi's account and use it for her maintenance.

During the course of the hearing, the state government informed that a committee was formed, headed by the district magistrate, to look into the needs of the old lady.

On this the court said that the DM should ensure that members of the committee shall visit the old lady's home regularly to ensure that she got basic and medical facilities.
The court while disposing off the petition, directed the state government to take appropriate measures to give wide publicity and to sensitize the public and employees of the state government regarding the law protecting rights and interests of senior citizens in UP.