Keralam sends senior citizens’ Bill to committee for scrutiny

Keralam’s Assembly referred its senior citizens’ care and protection Bill to the Finance Subject Committee on Oct. 13. The referral advances scrutiny of the proposal without making it an enacted law.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan introduced the measure. It seeks to protect older people’s rights and dignity, regulate care centres and strengthen support and training for families and caregivers.

Opposition legislator N.K. Akbar questioned compliance with the requirement to circulate Bills at least three days before introduction. He also challenged the financial assessment and provisions concerning living wills. He said the opposition supported protection for older people but saw legal problems in the text.

Satheesan said the financial memorandum identified recurring and non-recurring expenditure. He argued that the proposed units and forums would not require particular additional spending and that Supreme Court guidelines would be incorporated when rules were drafted.

The Speaker ruled that the Bill had been published in the Gazette on Oct. 10 and circulated to members that day. This addressed the procedural objection raised during debate.

The chief minister said the state’s elderly share was expected to be twice the national average by 2036. Planned measures include a survey of older residents and their health, volunteer support, monitoring of care homes and certification of caregivers.

The committee stage follows the cabinet’s earlier approval of the proposal. Its provisions remain subject to legislative scrutiny.