Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Mohali Deputy Mayor Issues Contempt Notice to Punjab, Haryana Govts Over Old-Age Homes
Imagine a mayor is very unhappy because the leaders of his state and a neighboring state promised to build special homes for older people, like a retirement community, in every town.
They told the court they would finish these homes by certain dates, like 2022 or 2024.
But the mayor says they haven't done it!
He sent a strong warning, called a contempt notice, to make them finish the homes.
He also mentioned that in his own area, a piece of land was set aside for such a home, but it's still just sitting there and hasn't been given for building.
The warning says they have a few weeks to fix this, or they could get into more trouble with the court.
Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has issued a contempt-of-court notice to the Punjab and Haryana Governments.
The notice relates to a 2014 PIL demanding old-age homes in every district, a duty of state governments under the Senior Citizens Act 2007.
Punjab committed to building 21 old-age homes by 2022, and Haryana by 2024, but Bedi alleges no substantial action has been taken.
Bedi claims only three districts in Punjab have seen some work, while 22 districts have made no progress; Haryana has missed its deadline without submitting reports.
The notice demands compliance within four weeks, including immediate land transfer for a Mohali old-age home, or contempt proceedings will follow.
- Who
- Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi, Punjab Government, Haryana Government
- What
- Issued a contempt-of-court notice for failing to build old-age homes as per court orders.
- When
- Notice issued recently; commitments made in 2019, deadlines were 2022 and 2024.
- Where
- Punjab and Haryana
- Why
- Alleged failure of state governments to comply with court directives and their own commitments regarding the construction of old-age homes.
Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi
Punjab and Haryana Governments
Construction of Old-Age Homes
Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi
Alleges that neither state government has acted on their commitments to build old-age homes as ordered by the court, with progress seen in only three Punjab districts and no report submitted by Haryana.
Punjab and Haryana Governments
The Punjab and Haryana Governments have not publicly responded to the contempt notice or provided an update on their compliance.
Responsibility for Construction
Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi
States that the responsibility for constructing old-age homes lies solely with the state government under the law, and delegating this to NGOs violates court directions.
Punjab and Haryana Governments
The Punjab Government has invited applications from NGOs to run old-age homes, indicating a potential difference in interpretation of responsibilities.
Land Transfer for Mohali Old-Age Home
Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi
Highlights that despite land approval and departmental acceptance in Mohali, the land has not been transferred, even after multiple reminders.
Punjab and Haryana Governments
The Haryana Government has missed its 2024 deadline for building homes in all districts and has not submitted any status report.
- Legal Basis
- Senior Citizens Act 2007, Contempt of Court Act 1971
- PIL Filing Year
- 2014
- Punjab Commitment
- Construct 21 old-age homes by 2022
- Haryana Commitment
- Build homes in all districts by 2024
- Current Progress (Punjab)
- Work initiated in 3 districts (Hoshiarpur, Barnala, Mansa); no progress in 22 districts.
- Mohali Land Status
- Approved, accepted by department, but not transferred.
- Notice Compliance Period
- Four weeks