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Keralam Government Plans Legal Guarantee for Senior Citizens
Keralam’s government wants to create a new law to protect older people.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said this law would give senior citizens legal rights.
He said the government believes it could be the first law of its kind in the world.
The state has already created a department for senior citizens.
That department plans to keep a register of older people and their needs.
The government also wants to train caregivers to help them.
Officials said many older people feel lonely when their children live elsewhere.
They want seniors to remain active and share their knowledge with society.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced plans for a comprehensive law protecting senior citizens.
The government says the proposed legislation would be the first of its kind globally.
Keralam’s senior citizens department will register elderly people and document their problems.
The state plans to introduce caregiver training to create a workforce supporting older persons.
Officials said the initiative aims to reduce loneliness and encourage seniors’ participation in society and the economy.
- Who
- Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan and the state government.
- What
- A comprehensive law is being prepared to provide legal guarantees and protection for senior citizens.
- Where
- At an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam.
- When
- Announced on International Day of Older Persons, on a Thursday; no specific date was provided.
- Why
- To protect elderly people’s rights, reduce isolation, and support their participation in society and the economy.
Key facts
- Proposed measure
- A comprehensive law providing legal guarantees for senior citizens.
- Responsible department
- Keralam’s senior citizens department.
- Government claim
- Officials say the legislation would be the first of its kind in the world.
- Planned register
- A state register will record senior citizens and the problems they face.
- Caregiver training
- The government plans to begin a caregivers’ course.
- Projected elderly population
- The chief minister said older people could comprise nearly 38% of Keralam’s population by 2036.
- Current department status
- The senior citizens department has become operational.
Quotes
Ramesh Chennithala
Kerala Home Minister commenting on the role of older people
“The senior citizens department is preparing a comprehensive law to ensure that. It will be immediately passed in the state assembly. According to our research till now, there is no such law anywhere else in the world. This is not a charity by the government, it is your right.”
deccanchronicle.com
“It is projected that by 2036, old people will comprise nearly 38 per cent of the population. While in many Indian states, it will not be even 20 per cent. The projected national average at that time is 19 per cent.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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