Senior citizens’ panel reviews 33 complaints

The Kerala State Senior Citizens’ Commission reviewed 33 complaints during a grievance redressal sitting held at the collectorate conference hall here on Monday (November 9). The sitting was led by Commission Chairman K. Somaprasad and member Amaravila Ramakrishnan.

Addressing the media, the Chairman said that a majority of complaints pertained to family disputes, primarily involving children failing to provide proper care and maintenance for their elderly parents. Other key issues raised during the sitting included delays in receiving pensions, non-refund of deposits made in co-operative banks, failure of contractors to complete works after receiving payments, and tenants refusing to vacate houses even after the expiry of lease agreements.

The Commission emphasised the urgent need to form voluntary committees across all police station limits, as mandated under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. While Maintenance Tribunals headed by Revenue Divisional Officers (RDOs) are currently functional under the Act, the Commission noted that there were significant delays in disposing of pending petitions.

Mr. Somaprasad said the Commission had recently convened a meeting of Revenue Divisional Officers to address the issue. The Commission subsequently recommended that the State government post dedicated staff at Revenue Divisional Offices to expedite the disposal of cases before the tribunals.

The Chairman assured that senior citizens could approach the Commission with any grievance and said that the panel also registers suo motu cases based on media reports and other reports brought to its notice. He expressed hope that the newly constituted Department for Senior Citizens would facilitate more efficient interventions in matters concerning elderly citizens.