Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi has issued a clear directive to district administrative officers, urging them to adopt a more compassionate and committed approach when handling matters related to the welfare of the elderly. Speaking at a state-level workshop focused on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act of 2007, Rastogi emphasized that officials must be fully attuned to legal provisions while maintaining a deeply humanitarian perspective during their daily duties. He remarked that the law is not simply a financial tool but a moral commitment to provide seniors with honour, dignity, and access to essential health services.
The workshop, organized by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, brought together Deputy Commissioners and legal experts to discuss the evolving needs of the province’s aging population. Rastogi noted that the shift from traditional joint family systems to nuclear households has left many seniors vulnerable, often relying on a single child or living entirely alone. This modern social transition necessitates a more robust institutional security framework and continuous monitoring by the state to ensure that parents are not neglected or emotionally isolated in their later years.
As part of a broader strategy to enhance support systems, the Chief Secretary instructed district administrations to strengthen senior citizen helplines and emergency shelter facilities. He also mandated the mandatory registration of all government and non-government old-age homes to ensure standardized care and accountability across the state. Additional Chief Secretary G. Anupama added that ensuring social justice is as fundamental a responsibility for administrative officers as maintaining law and order, suggesting that a sensitive administration is the cornerstone of effective governance.
During the session, officials reviewed the operational mechanics of the Maintenance Tribunal System, which allows seniors to seek assistance for a nominal fee. The tribunals have the authority to fix a monthly maintenance allowance of up to 10,000 rupees and can take strict action, including imprisonment, against those who fail to comply with the orders. Furthermore, authorities were encouraged to take proactive notice in cases involving abandoned seniors with a monthly income of less than 1,500 rupees, rather than waiting for a formal complaint to be filed.
The event also highlighted the progress made during the previous year, revealing that 177 senior citizens were granted maintenance allowances in 2025. By integrating social workers and non-governmental organizations into the tribunal system, the state aims to resolve family disputes through conciliation. This collaborative approach, which includes providing honorariums to successful conciliators, is designed to settle domestic conflicts amicably and foster a more supportive environment for the elderly throughout Haryana.
