Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Rights of senior citizens discussed

VISAKHAPATNAM: Enactment of laws alone would not solve certain problems like old age. There should be respect for values. These should be inculcated in children by parents and teachers, said former Energy Secretary, Government of India, E.A. Sarma.

He was participating on a discussion on ‘Senior Citizens Act 2007 and Allied Problems Govt.of India’ organised by the Vintage Visakha, a forum for elderly and senior citizens, here on Sunday. Maheswari Devi, presided.

Mr. Sarma, gave details of provisions of the Act aimed at ensuring help to the aged. ‘The Government which enacts powerful laws, could also bury the same, Mr. Sarma said, citing the example of the Senior Citizens Act for which even after more than one year of passing the Act, Rules for implementation of the Act had not been framed and Tribunal had not been constituted.

Without these, the purpose of the Act would not be served. He also pointed out to the stringent provisions in the Act and parents’ difficulty in filing cases against their own children. He recalled an anecdote of a traffic constable who was committed to his duty and took pride in discharging the same and wanted this commitment and pride in people. The aging population had been increasing because of better healthcare and there are changes in the family structure, Mr. Sarma said.

C.S. Rao of Praja Spandana was present.

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