Keralam Cabinet clears Bill for elderly citizens

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan speaks at his official residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. | Photo Credit: PTI

The Keralam Cabinet on Friday gave its approval for a Bill that seeks to ensure legal guarantees to senior citizens in the State. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan told a post-Cabinet press briefing that the government intends to introduce the Bill in the session of the Kerala Legislative Assembly starting Monday.

The Bill contains provisions to assist the elderly in an era of demographic changes, he said.

Describing the Bill as “revolutionary,” the Chief Minister said that it will be a “model legislation for all Indian States” if it gets passed in the House.

After it came to power in May, the government had created a dedicated Department for the Welfare of the Elderly, which was later renamed Department for Senior Citizens. In the Revised Budget for 2026-27, the UDF government had stated its intention to establish “world-class facilities for our senior citizens, maximising their vast experience and expertise to cultivate a robust ‘Silver Economy’.’’