Officials say the senior citizens Act should be strengthened and provisions such as imprisonment or fine imposed strictly to act as a deterrent. The home, though meant for senior citizens, also houses six residents who are below the age of 60 years. They also state that older senior citizens will be given preference over the less older, and female applicants over male. Another batch of petitions will be filed soon.”Real beneficiariesThe DLSA also stresses the need to ensure that only senior citizens are accommodated at the government home. It has written to the home superintendent that accommodating people under 60 years of age in an establishment that is meant to house senior citizens will deprive the needy of a chance to stay there.

Source: The Hindu February 16, 2019 17:37 UTC