In a bold move, the Uttar Pradesh government is considering empowering parents and senior citizens with the legal right to evict family members who are not contributing to their financial well-being. The proposed amendment to the state rules, falling under the Central government’s Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, is currently under review by the state Cabinet,as reported by Indian Express.
As Minister of State for Social Welfare, Asim Arun, explained, the amendments aim to give senior citizens the authority to remove non-supportive children or relatives from their homes. Arun stated, “We are bringing in changes that will effectively give senior citizens the right to evict their children or relatives from their house if the children or relatives are not giving them money for their livelihood.”
While the proposal has faced some scrutiny during recent Cabinet meetings, concerns such as the scenario of ancestral property shared between parents and children are being addressed through ongoing research. The government aims to fine-tune the proposal to ensure a balanced approach.
Under the current rules, senior citizens have the option to file complaints with local tribunals, headed by sub-divisional magistrates. These tribunals, upon receiving complaints, facilitate reconciliation attempts between the parties involved, with a subsequent order for children to financially support their parents. However, the proposed amendments take it a step further by granting senior citizens the authority to forcibly evict non-compliant family members.
If the amendments pass, the local tribunal will have the power to order the eviction of children or relatives within 30 days, without the need for court intervention. The law mandates the involvement of local police to enforce the eviction if the individuals fail to vacate voluntarily.
