Little awareness on Senior Citizens Act

 Somajiguda: Senior citizens in the city seem to be on the back foot. According to the Telangana State All Senior Citizen Association (TSASCA), 10% of the 13.5 lakh senior citizens in the city are suffering at the hands of their children and daughters-in-law.  Narasimha Rao, president, TSASCA, said, “Even lawyers and RDOs are ignorant of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.” 

Citing numerous examples of cases of ill-treatment, TSASCA members say that on an average they receive 5-10 cases every month. Recounting a recent case, Narasimha Rao said an 81-year-old farmer Rami Reddy of L B Nagar was seen weeping at a park near Vanasthalipuram as he was thrown out of his house.  He had transferred crores worth property in his son’s name. 

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 though powerful is still not known even to the legal fraternity. Members say that even RDOs feigned ignorance. 

Senior citizens are left stranded to fend for themselves. The Act is powerful and states that the RDO is empowered to cancel the deed and restore the property but the legal community and the authorities need to use the act, say activists. There are 40 lakh senior citizens in the state with 13.5 lakh residing in the city.
 
Most of the senior citizens are widows or widowers and have been demanding better redressal of their problems. The demands include a recreation centre in every district with indoor games, meditation, physiotherapy,  yoga, library and also a mini bus service for transportation .

About 60-80% live below the poverty line. They also demand for a 50 per cent off on public transport like RTC buses and Telangana tourism department.