<P> Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is a legislation enacted in 2007, initiated by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India., to provide more effective provision for maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens . This Act make it a legal obligation for children and heirs to provide maintenance to senior citizens and parents, by monthly allowance . This Act also provides simple, speedy and inexpensive mechanism for the protection of life and property of the older persons . After being passed by the parliament of India received the assent of President of India on December 29, 2007 and was published in the Gazette of India on December 31, 2007. Some states have already implemented the act and other states are taking steps for implementing this Act . </P> <P> Indian society lay high importance on providing care and protection for parents and elderly . Withering of joint family system has contributed to the challenges faced by elderly . Nowadays they are forced to live alone and are exposed to various kinds of problems such as lack of physical, social, emotional and financial support . To overcome such difficulties and to face new challenges, the Government of India has enacted this law in the fifty - eighth year of republic so as to provide maintenance and protection to parents and senior citizens . The population of the senior citizens constituted 7.5% of the total population in 2001 . However, as per the Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections, constituted by the National Commission on Population in May 2006, and published by the Office of the Registrar General of India, this figure is projected to go up to 12.40% of the population by 2026 . </P> <P> The first case under the act was filed in November 2011 by Siluvai (age 84) and his wife Arulammal (age 80) of Tuticorin against their son and daughter - in - law for neglect, besides taking away their two homes and gold jewellery . </P>

Section 24 of the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens act