Welfare of parents, senior citizens
Maintenance, appellate tribunals coming up in all JK Districts
Nasir Azam
Srinagar: The government will set up maintenance and appellate tribunals in all districts of Jammu & Kashmir to exercise the powers and discharge the functions conferred under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act,2007.
The draft rules unveiled by Jammu & Kashmir government for implementation of the law empower J&K government to constitute one or more Tribunals in each district for deciding upon pleas for maintenance filed by senior citizens.
“The Government of UT may appoint Principal Magistrate already appointed as Chairman of Juvenile Justice Board in each District to function as Presiding Officer of the Tribunal,” read the rules notified by the government.
The Rules have been put in public domain by Social Welfare Department for feedback/suggestions from public. The Rules also provide for constitution of one Appellate Tribunal headed by District and Sessions Judge in each district for hearing appeals against the order of the Tribunal.
Under the Act, maintenance is defined as the provision of food, clothing, residence, medical attendance and treatment.
According to the Rules, the government will establish a. UT Council of senior citizens for effective implementation of the Act and to perform such other functions.
It shall comprise of minister in- charge of welfare of senior citizens/ Social Welfare Department, administrative secretaries of department of Social Welfare, Health, Finance, Home, GAD and other subject of concern to the senior citizens, Director General of Police, Divisional Commissioner Jammu/ Kashmir, Inspector General of Police Jammu/ Kashmir, specialists and activists in the field of welfare of senior citizens, eminent senior citizens, and Director Social Welfare Jammu/ Kashmir.
The UT council shall meet at least once in six months and tenure of its members, other than ex- officio members, will be three years which will be co-terminus with the term of the Council, the Rules state. (KNO)
KV Correspondent
