Children who refuse maintenance and care to their parents could be in for a long lecture and “non-harsh” punitive measures once proposed central legislation for caring and protecting the elderly comes through.Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar has said a bill is being brought in to prevent children from casting off their parents. There have been a number of cases in which the latter have been denied care.“We don’t want harsh punishment. The matter will go to a tribunal. For example, if parents give their property to their children and the children misbehave then this property will be given back to the parents,” Kumar said.Tribunals are to be set up in every zilla and will decide on cases of neglect. The plan is that even friends and relatives of neglected parents can bring the cases to the tribunals’ notice.“There are lots of changes in society. There is no place for elders. Nuclear families have increased. There is a change in outlook which is a worrying trend. And this bill will bring awareness,” he said.The ministry has said the latest census shows a number of elderly people are living alone or with another senior citizen — there are 76.62 million people above 60 according to the 2001 census.The tribunals will have six months time to sort out each case. Also part of the legislation is a pension scheme for Below Poverty Line elders — the ministry is yet to work out a funding pattern and is awaiting for feedback from the states.
