Kerala assembly passes bill to protect rights of senior citizens
The Senior Citizens’ (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill 2026 aims to prevent neglect and exploitation of the elderly through a silver economy approach.
The Kerala legislative assembly has unanimously passed the Senior Citizens’ (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill 2026. According to a report by India Today, the legislation focuses on the silver economy and aims to prevent the neglect and exploitation of elderly people.
Kerala is ageing rapidly with an average life expectancy of 75.1 years. Estimates suggest that people above 60 years of age will constitute around 21 per cent of the state's population by 2031. Pathanamthitta district has the highest elderly population at 17.9 per cent, followed by Kottayam at 15.9 per cent and Alappuzha at 15.2 per cent.
Retired high school teacher Justin George said that while the bill includes provisions to safeguard elderly interests, it may not entirely solve the complex problems of the segment. He noted that the government must feed and provide medical care to the poorest elderly people who face destitution or abandonment.
Former information commissioner K. Sudhakaran told India Today that the government should set up geriatric care centres in every district. He questioned if the government or corporates employ persons over 60 in capacity-building programmes, calling for real action on the ground.
Former chief secretary Jiji Thomson stated that the new legislation would create a regulated eldercare system. However, he said there is a need for a comprehensive and adequately funded social security cover for poor elders to ensure they have food, housing, and medicines.