SC seeks fresh status reports from states on old-age homes, facilities for senior citizens

India’s Supreme Court has asked every state to provide fresh information on old-age homes and the facilities available to senior citizens, reviving a long-pending effort to assess protections for the elderly.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, was hearing a public-interest litigation filed in 2016 by Dr. Ashwani Kumar. The petition seeks effective implementation of measures including an old-age home in every district, adequate pensions and geriatric care.

Kumar appeared in person and urged the court to take up the case, saying its continuing mandamus had gone unheard for years despite issues affecting the rights and welfare of crores of elderly people. The Centre proposed transferring the matter to the respective high courts. The bench instead decided to first obtain updated information from all states.

The court directed that Attorney General R. Venkataramani communicate with the advocates general of every state, asking them to submit the latest status reports on old-age homes and the required facilities. States must file the reports within four weeks of receiving the communication.

The case concerns the implementation of statutory and constitutional safeguards for elderly people. In an April 8, 2016 order, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Centre and sought assistance from the National Legal Services Authority and HelpAge India. HelpAge India was asked to help develop an acceptable scheme addressing problems faced by elderly people, while NALSA was asked to say whether it had an existing scheme for legal assistance and protection or could formulate one.

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Let a communication be sent from Attorney General R Venkataramani to the Advocates General of all the States to submit a latest status report with respect to the establishment of old-age homes and the requisite facilities being provided therein.