TfiPFjft # ^ ° W—(^3)04/0007/2003—07 REGiSTrRED NO. PL—(N)04/0007/2003—07 -- 3TOT*n î
PART II — Section I PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY #• 671 "^ t ^ # , f̂aRTC, f^FSR 31, 2007 / tfa 10, 1929 No. 67 | NEW DELHI, MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2007 /PAUSA 10, 1929 Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.
New Delhi, the 31 st December, 2007/Pausa 10,1929 (Saka) The following Act of Parliament, received the assent of the President on the 29th December, 2007 and is hereby published for general information:— THE MAINTENANCE AND WELFARE OF PARENTS AND SENIOR ' CITIZENS ACT,. 2007 No. 56-QF. 2007 •'. ',:• [29thDecember,2007.]
An Act to provide for more effective provisions for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens guaranteed and recognised under the Constitution and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-eighth Year of the Republic of India'as follows:— • . .
CHAPTERI PRELIMINARY
1. (/) This Act may be called the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
Short title, extent,
(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir and it andcomapplies also to citizens of India outside India. mencemem.
(3) It shall come into force in a State on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.-
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) "children" includes son, daughter, grandson and grand-daughter but does not include a minor;
Definitions.
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [PART II-
(b) "ma[nLSDM ê" includes provision for food, clothing, residence and medical attendance and treatment;
(c) "minor" means a person who, under the provisions of the Majority Act, 1875, 96t* 1875 is deemed not to have attained the age of majority;
• . (cO "parent" means father or mother whether biological, adoptive or step father or step mother, as the case may be, whether or not the father or the mother is a senior citizen;
(e) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made by the State Government under this Act; . ' • ' • . - (/) "property" means property of any kind, whether movable or immovable, an cestral or self acquired, tangible or intangible and includes rights or interests in such property;
(g) "relative" means any legal heir of the childless senior citizen-who is not a minor and is in possession of or would inherit his property after his death;
(//) "senior citizen" means any person being a citizen of India, who has attained the age of sixty years or above;
(/) "State Government", in relation to a Union territory, means the administrator thereof appointed under article 239 of the Constitution; • (/) "Tribunal" means the Maintenance Tribunal constituted under section 7; •
(k) "welfare" means provision for food, health care, recreation centres and other amenities necessary for the senior citizens.
Act to have 3. The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent overriding therewith contained in any enactment other than this Act, or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any enactment other than this Act.
. CHAPTER II MAINTENANCE OF PARENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS Maintenance 4. (/) A senior citizen including parent who is unable to maintain himself from his own °!>I;l'?T;?;™nt earn 'n.g or out of the property owned by him, shall.be entitled to make an application under section 5 in case of— , . ._ , ... . . . senior citizens.
• . (/) parent or grand-paient, against one or more of his children not being a minor;
(if) a childless senior citizen, against such of his relative referred to in clause (g) of section 2. •
(2) the obligation of the children or relative, as the case may be, to maintain a senior citizen extends to the needs of such citizen so that senior citizen may lead a normal life.
(J) The obligation of the children to maintain his or her parent extends to the needs of such parent either father or mother or both, as the case may be, so that such parent may lead a normal life. • ' (-/) Any person being a relative of a senior citizen and having sufficient means shall maintain such senior citizen provided he is in possession of the property of such, seniof citizen or he would inherit the property of such senior citizen:
Provided that where more than one relatives are entitled to inherit the property of a senior citizen, the maintenance shall be payable by such relative in the proportion in which they would inherit his property. ' Application for 5. (/) An application for maintenance under section 4, may be made—' maintenance. . .
(a) by a senior citizen or a parent, as the case may be; or
(b) if he is incapable, by any other person or organisation authorised by him; or http://shall.be SEC. I] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 3
(c) the Tribunal may take cognizance suomotu. __, .
Explanation.— For the purposes of this section "organisation" means any voluntary association registered under the Societies Registration Act,-1860, or any other law for the time being in force.
(2) The Tribunal may, during the pendency of the proceeding regarding monthly allowance for the maintenance under this section, order such children or relative to make a monthly allowance for the interim maintenance of such senior citizen including parent and to pay the same to such senior citizen including parentis the Tribunal may from time to time direct.
(3) On receipt of an application for maintenance under sub-section (/), after giving notice of the application to the children or relative and after giving the parties an opportunity of being heard, hold an inquiry for determining the amount of maintenance.
(•/) An application filed under sub-section (2) for the month reallowance for the maintenance and expenses for proceeding shall be disposed of within ninety days from the date of the service of notice of the application to such person:
Provided that the Tribunal may extend the said period; qnce for a maximum period of thirty days in exceptional circumstances for reasons to be recorded in writing.
(5) An application for maintenance under sub-section (/) may be filed against one or • more persons:
Provided that such children or relative may implead the other person liable to maintain parent in the application for maintenance.
(6) Where a maintenance order was made against more than one person, the death of one of them does not affect the liability of others to continue paying maintenance.
(7) Any such allowance for the maintenance and expenses for proceeding shall be payable from the date of the order, or, if so ordered, from the date of the application for maintenance or expenses of proceeding, as the case may be.
(8) If, children or relative so ordered fail, without sufficient cause to comply with the order, any such Tribunal may, for every breach of the order, issue a warrant for levying the.
amount due in the manner provided for levying fines, and may sentence such person for the whole, or any part of each month's allowance for the maintenance and expenses of proceeding, as the case may be, remaining unpaid after the execution of the warrant, to imprisonment for a term, which may extend to one month or until payment if sooner made whichever is earlier:
Provided that no warrant shall be issued for the recovery of any amount due under this section unless application be made to the Tribunal to levy'such amount within a period of three months from the date on which it became due.
6. (/) The proceedings under section 5 may be taken against any children or relative in any district—
(a) where he resides or last resided; or . (b) where children or relative resides.
(2) On receipt of the application under section 5, the Tribunal shall issue a process for procuring the presence of children or relative against whom the application is filed.
(J) For securing the attendance of children or relative the Tribunal shall have the power of a. Judicial Magistrate of first class as provided under the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973. , ' •
(4) All evidence to such proceedings shall be taken in the presence of the children or relative against whom an order for payment of maintenance is proposed to be made, and shall be recorded in the manner prescribed for summons cases: •
Provided that if the Tribunal is satisfied that the children or relative against whom an order for payment of maintenance is proposed to be made is wilfully avoiding service, or Jurisdiction and proce dure.
p THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [PART II- wilfully neglecting to attend the Tribunal, the Tribunal may proceed to hear and determine the case ex parte. - ' -• ~- -.---••,. . , • ... - * "(Tj'VVhere the children or relative is residing out of India, the summons shall be served by the Tribunal through such authority, as the Central Government may by notification in the official Gazette, specify in this behalf.
(6) The Tribunal before hearing an application under section 5 may, refer the same to a Conciliation Officer and such Conciliation Officer shall submit his findings within one month and if amicable settlement has been arrived at, the Tribunal shall pass an order to that effect.
Explanation.— For the purposes of this sub-section "Conciliation Officer" means any person or representative of an organisation referred to in Explanation to sub-section (/) of section 5 or the Maintenance Officers designated by the State Government under sub section (/) of section 18 or any other person nominated by the Tribunal for this purpose.
Constitution of 7. (/) The State Government shall within a period of six months from the date of the Maintenance commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute for each Sub division one or more Tribunals as may be specified in the notification for the purpose of adjudicating and deciding upon the order for maintenance under section 5.
(2) The Tribunal shall be presided over by an officer not below the rank of Sub- Divisional Officer of a State.
(3) Where two or more Tribunals are constituted for any area, the State Government may, by general or special order, regulate the distribution of business among them.
Tribunal.
Summary procedure iri case of inquiry.
Order for maintenance.
Alteration in allowance.
Enforcement of order of maintenance.
8. (/) In holding any inquiry under section 5, the Tribunal may, subject.to any rules that may be prescribed by the State Government in this behalf, follow such summary procedure as it deems fit.
(2) The Tribunal shall have all the powers .of a 'Civil Court for the purpose of taking evidence on oath and of enforcing the attendance of witnesses and of compelling the discovery and production of documents and material objects and for such other purposes as may be prescribed; and the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a Civil Court for all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
(J) Subject to any rule that may be made in this behalf, the Tribunal may, for the purpose of adjudicating and deciding upon any claim for maintenance, choose one or more persons possessing special knowledge of any matter relevant to the"-inquiry to- assist it in holding the inquiry. . ' : : . - • •.^••:yr: ~-y~r_.--:r-:r.-.-.^..,...,,......
9. (/) If children or relatives, as the case may be, neglect or refuse to maintain a senior citizen being unable to maintain himself, the Tribunal may, on being satisfied of such neglect or refusal, order such children or relatives to make a monthly allowance at such monthly rate for the maintenance of such senior citizen, as the Tribunal may deem fit and to pay the same to such senior citizen as the Tribunal may, from time to time, direct.
(2) The maximum maintenance allowance which may be ordered by such Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government which shall not exceed ten thousand rupees per month.
10. (/) On proof of misrepresentation or mistake of fact or a change in the circum stances of any person, receiving a monthly allowance under section 9, for the maintenance ordered under that section to pay a monthly allowance for the maintenance, the Tribunal may make such alteration, as it thinks fit, in the'allowance for the maintenance.
(2) Where it appears to the Tribunal that, in consequence of any decision of a compe tent Civil Court, any order made under section 9 should be cancelled or varied, it shall cancel the order or, as the case may be, vary the same accordingly.
11. (/) A copy of the order of maintenance and including the order regarding expenses of proceedings, as the case may be, shall be given without payment of any fee to the senior 2 of 1974.
n SEC. 1] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 2 of 1974.
2 of 1974.
2 of 1974.
& satizeiLQCjo parent, as the case may be, in whose favour it is made and sush order may-be enforced by any Tribunal in any place where the person against whom it is made, such Tribunal on being satisfied as to the identity of the parties and the non-payment of the allowance, or as the case may be, expenses, due.
(2) A maintenance order made under this Act shall have the same force and effect as an order passed under Chapter IX of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and shall be executed in the manner prescribed for the execution of such order by that Code.
12. Notwithstanding anything contained in Chapter IX of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, where a senior citizen or a parent is entitled for maintenance under the said Chapter and also entitled for maintenance under this Act may, without prejudice to the provisions of Chapter IX of the said Code, claim-such maintenance under either of those Acts but not under both.
13. When an order is made under this'Chapter, the children or relative who is required to pay any amount in terms of such order shall, within thirty days of the date of announcing the order by the Tribunal, deposit the entire amount ordered in such manner as the Tribunal may direct.
Option regarding maintenance in certain cases.
Deposit of maintenance amount.
where any claim is allowed.
Constitution of Appellate Tribunal.
Appeals.
14. Where any Tribunal makes an order for maintenance made under this Act, such Award of Tribunal may direct that in addition to the amount of maintenance, simple interest shall 'n t e r e s t also be paid at such rate and from such date not earlier than the date of making the application as may be determined by the Tribunal which shall not be less than five per cent, and not more than eighteen per cent.:
Provided that where any application for maintenance under Chapter IX of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is pending before a Court at the commencement of this Act, then the Court shall allow the withdrawal of such application on the request of the parent and such parent shall be entitled to file an application for maintenance before the Tribunal.
15. (1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute one Appellate Tribunal for each district to hear the appeal against the order of the Tribunal. ,
(2) The Appellate Tribunal shall be presided over by an officer not below the rank of District Magistrate.
16. (I) Any senior citizen or a parent, as the case maybe, aggrieved" by'ari order of a Tribunal may, within sixty days from the date of thVorderj prefer ari appeal "to. the Appellate Tribunal:
Provided that on appeal, the children or relative who is required to pay any amount in terms of such maintenance order shall continue to pay to such parent the amount so ordered, in the manner directed by the Appellate Tribunal:
Provided further that the Appellate Tribunal may, entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of sixty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal in time. '
(2) On receipt of an appeal, the Appellate Tribunal.shall, cause a notice to be served upon the respondent.
(3) The Appellate tribunal may call for the record of proceedings from the Tribunal against whose order the appeal is preferred.
(4) The Appellate Tribunal may, after examining the appeal and the records called for either allow or reject the appeal.
(5) The Appellate Tribunal shall, adjudicate and decide upon the appeal filed against the order of the Tribunal and the order of the Appellate Tribunal shall be final:
Provided that no appeal shall be rejected unless an opportunity has been given to both the parties of being heard in person or through a duly authorised representative.
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [PART 11—
(6) The Appellate Tribunal shall make an endeavour to pronounce its order in writing .-.,, -. .<• .-.= - ~~within one montlL-of the-receiptof an.appeal... - ---..I...— *w——: -— - c*.—-»,-~-—, '"'"(7) "A copy of every order made under sub-section p/siiaii be^ent id blkiTihirpanies free of cost.
Right to legal \f. Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, no party to a proceeding before a.
representation. Tribunal.or Appellate Tribunal shall be represented by a legal practitioner.
Maintenance Officer.
Establishment of old age homes.
Medical support for seniorcitizehs.
18. (1) The State Government shall designate the District Social Welfare Officer or an officer not below the rank of a District Social Welfare Officer, by whatever name called as Maintenance Officer.
(2) The Maintenance Officer referred to in sub-section (/), shall represent a parent if he so desires, during the proceedings of the Tribunal, or the Appellate Tribunal, as the case may be.
. CHAPTERM ESTABLISHMENT OF OLDAGE HOMES
19. (I) The State Government may establish and maintain such.number of oldage homes at accessible places, as it may deem necessary, in a phased manner, beginning with at least one in each district to accommodate in such homes a minimum of one hundred fifty senior citizens who are indigent.
(2) The State Government may, prescribe a scheme for management of oldage homes, including the standards and various types of services to-be provided by them which are necessary for medical care and means of entertainment to the inhabitants of such homes.
Explanation.—F'or the purposes of this section, "indigent" means any senior citizen who is-not having sufficient means, as determined by the State Government, from time to time, to maintain himself.
CHAPTERrV • PROVISIONS FOR MEDICAL CARE OF SENIOR CITIZEN -
20. The State Government shall ensure that,—
(i) the Government hospitals or hospitals funded fully or partially by the , ;. Government shall provide beds for all senior citizens as far aspossible; ',"';'..'".
(ii) separate queues be arranged for senior citizens;
(Hi) facility for treatment of chronic, terminal and degenerative diseases is expanded for senior citizens;
(iv) research activities for chronic elderly diseases and ageing is expanded;
(v) there are earmarked facilities for geriatric patients in every district hospital duly headed by a medical officer with experience in geriatric care.
Measures for publicity, awareness, etc., for welfare of senior citizens.
CHAPTER V PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY OF SENIOR CITIZEN
21. The State Government shall, take all measures to ensure that—
(i) the provisions of this Act are given wide publicity through public media including the television, radio and the print, at regular intervals;
(ii) the Central Government and State Government Officers, including the police officers and the members of the judicial service, are given periodic sensitization and awareness training on the issues relating to this Act; • ' SEC. I] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 2 of 1974:
45 of I860.
'''"7»7>~eTtHffv'e' co-ordination between' iRe'services provided by the concerned ' Ministries or Departments dealing with law, home affairs,, health and welfare, to address the issues relating to the welfare of the.senior citizens and periodical review of the same is conducted.
22. (I) The State Government may, confer such powers and impose such duties'on a District Magistrate as may be necessary, to ensure that the provisions of this Act are properly carried out and the District Magistrate may specify the officer, subordinate to him, who shall exercise all or any of the powers, and perform all or any of the duties, so conferred ' or imposed and the local limits within which such powers or duties shall be carried out by the officer as may be prescribed.
(2) The State Government shall prescribe a comprehensive action plan for providing protection of life and property of senior citizens.
23. (I) Where any senior citizen who, after the commencement of this Act, has transferred by way of gift or otherwise, his property, subject to the condition that the transferee shall provide the basic amenities and basic physical needs to the transferor and such transferee refuses or fails to provide such amenities and physical needs, the said transfer of property shall be deemed to have been made by fraud or coercion or under undue influence and shall at the option of the transferor be declared void by the Tribunal,
(2) Where any senior citizen has a right to receive maintenance out of an estate and such estate or part thereof is transferred, the right to receive maintenance may be enforced against the transferee if the transferee has notice of the right, or if the transfer is gratuitous;
but not against the transferee for consideration and without notice of right.
(3) If, any senior citizen is incapable of enforcing the rights under sub-sections (•/) and (2), action may be taken on his behalf by any of the organisation referred to in
Explanation to sub-section (/) of section 5.
CHAPTER VI OFFENCES AND PROCEDURE FOR TRIAL
24. Whoever, having the care or protection of senior citizen leaves, such senior citizen in any place with the intention of wholly abandoning such senior citizen, shall be punishable with, imprisoninent of either description for a term which may extend to three months or fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both. '
25. (I) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, every offence under this Act shall be cognizable and bailable.
(2) An offence under this Act shall be tried summarily by a Magistrate.
, • CHAPTER VII MISCELLANEOUS
26. Every officer or staff appointed to exercise functions under this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
27. No Civil Court shall have jurisdiction in respect of any matter to which any provision of this Act applies and no injunction shall be granted by any Civil Court in respect of anything which is done or intended to be done by or under this Act.
28. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Central Government, the State Governments or the local authority or any officer of the Government in respect of anything which is done in good faith or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act and any rules or orders made thereunder.
29. If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the State Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty:
Auchorilies who may be specified for implementing Che provisions "of this Act.
Transfer of property to be void in certain circum stances.
Exposure and abandonment of senior citizen. - . • • Cognizance of offences.
Officers to be public servants.
Jurisdiction of civil courts barred.
Protection of action taken in good faith.
Power to remove difficulties.
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY (PART II—SEC. 1] Power of Central Government to give directions.
Power of Central Government to review.
Power of State Government to make rules.
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a perjod of two years from the date of the commencement of this Act.
3®. The Central Government may give directions to State Governments as to the carrying into execution of the provisions of this Act.
31. The Central Government may make periodic review and monitor the progress of the implementation of the provisions of this Act by the State Governments.
32. (/) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for— .
(a) the manner of holding inquiry under section 5 subject to such rules as may be prescribed under sub-section (/) of section 8;
(b) the power and procedure of the Tribunal for other purposes under sub section (2).of section 8;
(c) the maximum maintenance allowance which may be ordered by the Tribunal under sub-section (2) of section 9;
(d) the scheme for management of oldage homes, including the standards and various types.of services°to be prd^ided by them which are necessary for medical care and means of entertainment to the inhabitants of such homes under sub-section
(2) of section 19;
(e) the powers and duties of the authorities for implementing the provisions of this Act, under sub-section (/) of section 22;
(/) a comprehensive action plan for providing protection of life and property of senior citizens under sub-section (2) of section 22;
(S) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed. .
(J) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each' House of State Legislature* where it consists of-two Houses or'where-such :• legislature consists of one House, before.that House.,., K.N.CHATURVEDI, Secy, to the Govt, of India.
PRINTED BY THE MANAGER. GOVT. OF INDIA PRESS. M1NTO ROAD. NEW DELHI AND PUBLISHED BY THE CONTROLLER OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI. 2008.
MGIPMRND—5423GI(S5)—1-1-2008.
.,. *..
,<3TC# ¥o ^ o T^o-33004/99 REGD.NO.D.L.-33004/99 • S?nT II—T3V3 3—^-WTS (ii)
PART H—Section 3—Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY TT. 1198] No. 1198] i f f ^ # , ^?TT, ^T 22, 2011/3TT^ 1, 19&3 NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2011/ASADHA 1, 1933 " ^ f ^ f t , 22^T, 2011 •^r.w. 1436(3?),—^Tm-fqm ark ^ f w HIMR+T F̂T ^ - •q f tR W 3 ^ F I 3rf*tfWf, 2007 (2007 ^T 56) ^ t SJTCT 6 3ft "3-T-STTCr (5) SRT TO !flRkl4 37T 3T%T ^ ^ , ^ 1^ft ^ f ^ R 7 (wm m-i$m) ^ im Tnf̂ FKt 3^8^T T R M 3ft W T ^ w t *jt TO 3 -$m T$ ^ t i [m?i. 15-39/(39 )/2009-10/Wsft-n] 3rte^ ftrat, ^ R T ^ t o MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND (Social Defence Division) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 22nd June, 2011 S.0.1436(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (5) of Section 6 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (56 of 2QQ7),..meCentral toerjime^JxereJ)y appoints. MPinxtqr (Social Defence*Ageing) ..in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi to act as a nodal authority through whom summons shall be served by the Tribunal to the children or relative of parents and senior citizens who are residing outside India.
[ F. No. 15-39/(39)/2009-10/AG-n] ABfflLAKSHLKHI, Jt. Secy.
2341 GI/2011 Printed by the Manager, Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-l 10064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-U0054.