Centre plans to increase jail term

New Delhi:  The Union Government, led by PM Narendra Modi, is planning to increase the jail term for those who abandon or abuse their elderly parents, to six months from the existing three months, according to a senior official.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which is reviewing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, has also proposed to widen the definition of children to include adopted children or stepchildren, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, grandchildren and minors, represented by their legal guardians, a Ministry official said. Only biological children and grandchildren come under the Act at present.

The Ministry has drafted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Draft Bill, 2018, which will supersede the existing Act. The draft Act also proposes doing away with the upper limit of Rs.10,000 a month in maintenance, thus making it variable.

The official said: “Those who earn well can and should shell out higher amounts for the upkeep of their parents. Also the definition of the term ‘maintenance’ should go beyond providing food, clothing, housing and healthcare and include safety and security of parents.”

Elderly parents can approach a maintenance tribunal if their children neglect or refuse to maintain them.