THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An elderly commission will be formed in the state to ensure the welfare and protection of the elderly. The commission will have the power to intervene whether the elderly are abandoned on the streets or abused in their homes. The assembly has approved the bill in this regard. The bill will come into force if the governor signs it. This is the first such commission in the country. Minister Dr. R. Bindu, who introduced the bill, said that this is the beginning of a new era.
The Commission will have quasi-judicial powers. The term of office is three years. The Commission will have a Chairperson and not more than four members. The members including the Chairperson will be elderly. One of the members will be from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories. There will also be a woman member.
The Chairperson shall have the rank of Secretary to the Government. The Chairperson and the members shall be entitled to salary and allowances. The Secretary of the Commission shall be a person not below the rank of Additional Secretary. A person not below the rank of Joint Secretary of the Law Department shall be appointed as Registrar. A person not below the rank of Deputy Secretary of the Finance Department shall be the Finance Officer. The headquarters of the Commission shall be at Thiruvananthapuram.
Commission Duties