Pune: State govt on Tuesday ruled out any immediate amendments to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, stating that the existing law is functioning effectively and that complaints filed by senior citizens are being disposed of within the prescribed timelines.In a written reply to a starred question raised by Naigaon MLA Rajesh Pawar in the Legislative Assembly, social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat said the govt had received complaints regarding elderly parents being neglected by their children, driven out of their homes or subjected to financial and mental harassment.Pawar had sought to know whether the state was considering a stronger legal mechanism to ensure the care and protection of elderly parents, citing growing concerns over the neglect of senior citizens.The MLA pointed out that changing family structures, urbanisation and evolving lifestyles had aggravated the problem. He also referred to Telangana’s law, enacted on April 28, 2026, which requires employed children to fulfil their responsibilities towards the care and maintenance of their parents. The legislation also provides for financial assistance to parents through salary deductions from children who fail to discharge those responsibilities.In his reply, Shirsat described concerns regarding the neglect of elderly parents as “partly true” and confirmed that complaints of this nature had been received. He also acknowledged the enactment of the Telangana law and said it contains provisions for salary deductions from children who fail to support their parents.The minister, however, rejected suggestions that implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, in Maharashtra was ineffective or that senior citizens were unable to access relief under the law.Shirsat informed the House that, as of March 2026, a total of 9,722 maintenance cases involving senior citizens had been filed before sub-divisional officers (revenue), who function as presiding officers under the Act. Of these, 8,160 cases had been disposed of.He said complaints filed by senior citizens are being addressed by the designated authorities and resolved within the timelines prescribed under the legislation.Pawar had also sought details on whether the govt proposed to amend the existing law, establish a simpler and speedier grievance-redressal mechanism or introduce a new law or policy to ensure the protection, dignity and financial security of elderly parents.Shirsat, however, said the question did not arise, effectively indicating that the govt does not currently intend to amend the Act, create a separate grievance-redressal mechanism or introduce a new policy on the issue.Meanwhile, senior citizens’ rights activists welcomed the disposal of a large number of maintenance cases but said there was a need for stronger monitoring of implementation. They argued that many elderly parents remain unaware of the remedies available under the Act or hesitate to file complaints against their own children because of emotional and social pressures.Activists called for greater awareness campaigns, periodic reviews of case disposal at the district level and easier access to grievance-redressal systems to ensure that vulnerable senior citizens can seek timely assistance.“There is a need for much greater awareness about the Act and its implementation. Many elderly citizens do not know where to go in such cases,” said activist S Joshi.
