By P. Sreekumaran
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a step that will gladden the hearts of senior citizens, the Kerala Assembly has unanimously passed the Keralam Senior Citizens’ Bill, 2026.
The Bill, which aims to ensure care and protection of the elderly through a legal framework of rights, has been referred to the Finance Subject Committee for scrutiny.
The Bill seeks to promote healthy and active ageing, registration and regularization of senior citizen care centres, capacity-building for family and care-givers, and protection of rights, dignity and social security of the elderly population.
The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) supported the Bill. It, however, wondered how the Bill could supersede an existing bill which had been passed by the previous LDF Government. The LDF also pointed out that the provisions of Central laws have been relaxed in the Bill. Such relaxations can be made only with the President’s assent, it said. The LDF also voiced its apprehension that the Supreme Court guidelines on preparation of living will could be misused in the absence of a medical board or judicial mechanism to monitor it. The regulatory legislation also lacked penal provisions, it added.
In his reply, Chief Minister VD Satheesan, however sought to allay the fears expressed by the opposition. The Chief Minister denied that the Bill contained any provisions opposed to the central laws. The law passed by the previous LDF Government related to setting up a commission for the elderly. The difference in the new bill is that it is related to care and protection of the rights of the senior citizens through guarantees. The CM also promised to include the Supreme Court guidelines on living will in the Rules for the new Act.
The Chief Minister also claimed that the new Bill was a Special Act, the purpose of which was to focus on care and protection of the rights of the elderly population. Welfare was only a component of the Bill, Satheesan said, adding that the main thrust of the bill was on silver economy. The Bill will enable the senior citizens to lead an active and productive life by allowing them an opportunity to contribute to many areas because of their wide experience and knowledge.
Other aspects of the Bill were a survey of the status of the elderly and care-giving courses.
The Chief Minister was all praise for the House, cutting across the political divisions, for suggesting an unprecedented number of amendments to the Bill, which he said, would be a comprehensive one that incorporates all constructive recommendations from the members.
In his intervention, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said, with the passing of the Bill, three of the five Indira Guarantees of the UDF Government would be fulfilled.
In another important policy decision, the UDF Government has decided to introduce, in the next session of the Assembly, a bill to regulate the high medical treatment cost in private hospitals.
This was announced by Health Minister K. Muralidharan in response to a question from CPI(M) MLA K. N. Balagopal, who wanted to know the steps being taken by the Government to regulate the trend of some major hospitals, in which global private equity firms now have big stakes, inflating treatment costs.
The Minister responded by saying that the Government agreed, in principle, to the requirement to regulate private hospitals, many of which were now under the management of foreign companies.
The Minister admitted that the cost of treatment as well as room rents had increased drastically. Also, the insurance companies were refusing claims, causing problems for the common people.
Muralidharan also said the Government was preparing a project to transform Keralam into a major health destination which would be sought after by foreigners as well as those from other States.
The Principal Secretary (Health Department), Director of the Health Department and the Director of Medical Education would coordinate these activities.
A major campaign aimed at early detection and control of lifestyle diseases is also underway, the Minister informed. As part of this, health workers would visit houses and identify those in need of attention through a survey and preliminary screening.
The pilot project would be implemented in the Vattiyurkavu, Idukki and Nilambur Assembly constituencies first and later extended across the State, said Muralidharan.
In yet another welcome decision, the UDF Government has decided to form the Global NoRKA Coordination Council to replace the Loka Kerala Sabha (LKS).
The Chief Minister, who informed the House of this decision, said the Council is being formed to ensure more effective and sustainable bonds with non-resident Keralites and their organisations. This would result in welfare measures for expatriates becoming more effective, the CM said.
The State Cabinet had, last month, decided to dissolve the LKS. (IPA Service)
