In a significant move towards bolstering the welfare of senior citizens in Delhi, the Delhi High Court has issued directives to the Chief Secretary of the Delhi government, mandating a decision within 12 weeks regarding a plea for a door-to-door survey aimed at gathering comprehensive data on the total number of senior citizens in the national capital.
Case Overview:
The court’s decision comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Salek Chand Jain, emphasizing the pressing need for improved facilities and support for the elderly population.
Jain’s plea not only advocates for the proposed survey but also calls for the establishment of a new senior citizen home in every district of Delhi.
The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora, instructed the Chief Secretary to treat the PIL as a representation, acknowledging the gravity of the issue at hand.
At the core of Jain’s plea is the assertion that the current infrastructure for senior citizens in Delhi is insufficient, with only two senior citizen homes funded by the Delhi government and one additional home managed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board.
Highlighting the vulnerability of senior citizens to neglect and discrimination, Jain’s counsel argued for specialized care and attention to address their unique needs.
The plea also seeks the establishment of a separate database of offences committed against senior citizens by the Delhi Police, aiming to enhance safety measures for this demographic.
The court stated in its order, underlining the urgency of the matter, that it directs the Chief Secretary, GNCTD, to treat the present writ petition as a representation and decide it in accordance with the law as expeditiously as possible, preferably within twelve (12) weeks.
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