HC asks AAP government to spread awareness on rights of senior citizens

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the AAP-led city government to run an awareness programme on the rights and protection available to senior citizens, on the lines of the pan-India 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and justice C Hari Shankar also suggested to the authorities to place frequent advertisements in mass media like televisions, radios and newspapers for the benefit of senior citizens in distress.

"You need to do a little bit of publicity in this regard.The people do not know of their rights. The frequency of the advertisements should be like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.     

"If you do (ads) on Doordarshan (broadcasting television network), the whole of Bharat will know about it," the bench said.     

The court's direction came during hearing of a plea by a Delhi-based social activist Hemant Goswami who has sought resumption of the Maintenance Tribunals and appellate tribunals, constituted under the Maintenance and Welfare ofParents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.     

The petitioner has claimed that the tribunals were paralysed.     

The plea has also sought a direction to the Delhi government for expeditious appointment of members to ensure proper and complete constitution of the Appellate Tribunal andMaintenance Tribunals within a specified time limit. 

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It had also sought advertisement of the various schemes meant for senior citizens.     

The bench, thereafter, issued notice to the Centre and Delhi government and directed them to take action with regard to issuing advertisements on a mass level.

The bench also directed the authorities to place before it the proposed action plan on the issue before the next date of hearing i.e. January 30.