Seniors learn about legal rights, welfare entitlements in Sector 15 old age home

For an elderly woman sitting in the courtyard of the old age home in Sector 15 on Wednesday, it was more than a routine gathering. As she listened to a panel advocate explaining the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, she nodded thoughtfully. “I never knew I could formally ask my children for maintenance if needed,” she said, a mix of surprise and relief in her voice.

She and other senior citizens learnt about their legal rights, welfare entitlements, and ways to seek help as UT State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) marked “International Day of Older Persons” by engaging the seniors directly.

Guided by Justice Surya Kant, executive chairman of NALSA, along with Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and SLSA executive chairman Justice Deepak Sibal, the session became a collective call for “ageing with dignity”. The exercise was conducted in association with UT Department of Social Welfare.

On the occasion, UT SLSA member secretary Sampreet Kaur explained the functioning of SLSA and NALSA (Senior Citizen) Scheme, 2016, while UT District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) secretary Sunil Kumar detailed the role of DLSA and apprised the gathering of the legal rights available to elders.

Participants were also informed about key helplines, including the national helpline 15100, the UT legal services authority helpline 1516, and the NALSA legal services app for quick access to assistance. Panel advocate Ishan Dogra sensitised the audience on the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Senior Citizens Act, while advocate Jatinder Kumar Kamboj elaborated on broader rights and entitlements.

The session concluded with an interactive question-answer round. Justice Sibal noted that the purpose of the session was to educate seniors about their rights and entitlements, promote respect, empathy, and care for older persons, and reinforce the importance of effectively implementing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.

Barely a fortnight earlier, UT SLSA had recorded a remarkable disposal of 16,578 cases during the National Lok Adalat on September 13, with settlements amounting to Rs 110 crore. That exercise too was conducted under the guidance of Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice Nagu, and Justice Sibal.

Compared to the previous Lok Adalat, which disposed of 12,230 cases, this edition saw a significant rise, reflecting both the dedicated efforts of the courts and the willingness of litigants to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Long-pending matters were amicably resolved, helping decongest court dockets.

During Lok Adalat, a husband and wife, living separately for ten years due to marital differences, had their long-standing dispute repaired in a remarkable turn of events. The wife had filed a divorce petition on July 31, 2023, which was taken up during the proceedings. Justice Sibal personally engaged with the couple, stressing the importance of family and reconciliation. Following patient counselling and guidance, the couple agreed to reunite after a decade of separation, underscoring the human and restorative impact of amicable dispute resolution.