Mon Jan 20 06:57:35 UTC 2025: **Supreme Court Allows Plea for Senior Citizen Ministry to be Considered**
NEW DELHI, January 20, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India on Friday allowed a petition advocating for the creation of a dedicated Ministry for senior citizens to be presented to the government. While the court declined to directly mandate the creation of such a ministry, Justice P.S. Narasimha, who lightheartedly noted that judges themselves fall within the senior citizen age group, granted permission for the petitioner to make their case to the government.
The petition, filed by advocate G. Priyadarshini and represented by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, highlights the burgeoning senior citizen population in India, projected to reach 347 million by 2050. It argues that the current system, which groups senior citizens’ issues with those of other vulnerable groups under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is inadequate to address the unique challenges faced by this rapidly growing demographic. The petition emphasizes the need for a dedicated ministry to effectively handle policies, schemes, financial assistance, and healthcare requirements for senior citizens, citing the right to a dignified life (Article 21) as constitutional justification. The petitioner draws parallels to the establishment of the independent Ministry of Women and Child Development, arguing that senior citizens warrant similar dedicated governmental attention.
First Piper 