Former Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan said on Wednesday that the government should form a national commission to allay the concerns of senior citizens and it should have the powers necessary to take action in the interest of senior citizens.
Addressing the Bharatiya Excellence Awards 2024 organised by APN News and Balaji Foundation in New Delhi, Balakrishnan spoke on the need for such a commission because children and kin do not look after senior citizens even after taking properties and other inheritances from them. Government intervention is required to provide them with economic and medical help by constituting a commission exclusively for them, he added.
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The commission should be formed separately from the usual one so that they have the authority to take action against such people and also see if the interests of senior citizens are taken care of, the former CJI added.
Asserting that, he said this can only be possible if the government forms legislation and conducts a study on how other countries have tackled such issues and taking care of their elders, adding that, he said a similar enactment should be there in our country.
Former CJI Balakrishnan brought attention to the increasing life expectancy in the country. He said now longevity has increased, earlier it was about 40-45 and now it is 70-75. He said increasing longevity is a good sign of health but at the same time after the age of 50, the body has inherent medical problems. So, there should be medical help for them, he added. There is no requirement for constant attention but there should be someone, who takes good care of them, he said.
The former CJI said there should be a discussion on such matters and public opinion should be created. He said law is the essence of public opinion. Keeping that in mind, we should create public opinion so that their conditions improve, Balakrishnan said.
He noted that the country is economically moving forward but at the same time, the welfare of the people should also be moving along with it in the country, he added. There should be inclusive growth of all people, the former CJI said.
Earlier, Senior Advocate Pradeep Rai remembered the former Chief Justices of India and noted Balakrishnan’s endeavours in courts. He said social media influencers were being honoured and by honouring them we are also honoured.
Rai gave special thanks to former Noida Authority CEO Devdutt and former law officer of Noida Authority for helping lawyers get land for their flats complex.
He recalled his humbler origins, saying he studied under a tree in a village school which didn’t even have for classrooms. This has been an advantage since he can communicate with people from all walks of life, he said.
Welcoming the gathering, APN News Editor-in-Chief Rajshri Rai said APN News and Balaji Foundation are honouring social media influencers for spreading awareness, positivity and knowledge in society. “The aim of this event is not only to give awards to people but also to make people aware. Most of the people who are going to be honoured are youth, who have done new things on social media and have established their influence. Today we are honouring people, who are engaged in taking this country forward,” she said.