Telangana Assembly Passes Parents Maintenance Bill

In a significant move to strengthen the welfare of elderly parents, the Telangana government today introduced and secured the passage of a Bill mandating financial responsibility of parents for employed children, with provisions for direct salary deductions in cases of neglect.

The Telangana Legislative Council today witnessed the introduction and passage of the Telangana Employees' Parents Maintenance, Accountability and Monitoring Bill, 2026, aimed at ensuring financial security and dignity for elderly parents.

Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar, while introducing the Bill, said that the legislation sought to reinforce the moral and social responsibility of children towards their parents, in line with the Indian ethos of "Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava".

He said that parents who dedicated their lives to the upbringing and future of their children deserved care, respect and security in their old age.

Kumar said that the elderly population in the State, which stood at 32.69 lakh (9.27%) as per the 2011 Census, was now estimated to have risen to around 45 lakh. He added that the decline of joint family systems and evolving lifestyles had left several elderly persons vulnerable to neglect and isolation.

He said that while the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, was in force, gaps in its implementation persisted.

"On average, around 1,800 cases are registered annually at Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) offices. Though a dedicated online portal has been introduced to streamline grievance redressal, elderly parents often continue to face difficulties in securing regular maintenance even after orders are issued. The proposed legislation seeks to address these shortcomings through stricter enforcement mechanisms. As per the key provisions, if parents file a complaint before the district Collector and neglect is established upon inquiry, up to 15% of the employee's monthly salary, or Rs 10,000, whichever is lower, will be directly deducted and credited to the parents' bank account," he said.

The Bill applies to State government employees, personnel of public sector undertakings, employees of institutions receiving government funds, as well as those working in licensed private establishments. It also extends to elected and nominated public representatives receiving salaries or allowances.

The minister also said that the initiative reflected the vision and commitment of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy towards safeguarding the dignity and well-being of senior citizens. The legislation not only strengthened the existing legal framework but also reiterated the importance of family values and social responsibility, he added.