Awareness for Senior Citizens’ Rights held

A sensitisation and awareness programme on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 was conducted on March 21 at Singrijan, Chumoukedima for Senior Citizens.
The programme was organised by the Rural Development Service Centre (RDSC), Dimapur in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, with resource person advocate Ahivi T Yepthomi.
Addressing the gathering, Yepthomi elaborated on the key provisions of the Act, emphasising the legal safeguards available to elderly parents and senior citizens. She highlighted that the Act mandates children and legal heirs to provide maintenance to parents who are unable to sustain themselves, stating, “It is not just a moral responsibility, but also a legal responsibility”. She further underlined that the Act aims to protect senior citizens from neglect, abuse, and abandonment, which remain growing concerns in contemporary society. Drawing attention to an important provision, she explained that if a parent transfers property to a child with the expectation of care and support, and such care is not provided, the transfer can be declared void, allowing the parent to reclaim the property. Yepthomi also informed the participants about the role of the Maintenance Tribunal, which provides a legal mechanism for senior citizens to seek redressal of grievances related to maintenance and welfare.
The session concluded with an interactive activity to reinforce learning, where participants engaged in a question-based exercise related to the Act, making the programme both informative and participatory.