MANGALDAI, Dec 19 - A public sensitisation programme on the aims and objectives of the Pranam Act, 2017, which was introduced by the Assam government for the financial security of dependent parents neglected by their government servant wards, and persons with disability being neglected by their government service holder brothers and sisters, was organised by the Darrang district administration here on Wednesday.
Addressing the participants, mostly district-level officials of State government offices and local senior citizens during the programme held at Sainik Bhawan, speakers from the Pranam Commission, including Chief Commissioner VK Pyarelal, commissioners Jugabala Burhagohain and Alaka Das and registrar Anurupa Baruah discussed different provisions of the Act.
The speakers highlighted those sections of the Act with the help of which the deprived parents or differently-abled brothers and sisters can earn an amount, to the tune of 10-15 percent of the monthly earnings of the accused son, daughter or brothers and sisters who are government servants. The speakers appealed to the gathering to remain aware of their legitimate rights.
Several senior officials of the district administration, including Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Dass, District Development Commissioner Sweety Gogoi Kalita, Darrang Zila Parishad Chief Executive Officer Tez Prasad Bhushal and Additional Deputy Commissioner Kalpana Deka attended the function.
During the programme, it was mentioned that with the improvement in the healthcare sector, the mortality age has gone up significantly, which has contributed to increase in a substantial number of senior citizens. Inability to contribute to earnings of the family due to advancing age and the increasing cost of medication have given rise to the feeling that the elderly people have become a liability. There are many instances when an ailing elderly person is ignored or driven out from his or her own house.
The Assam Government was the first state in the country to make it mandatory for children employed in the government sector to maintain their aged parents and disabled and unmarried siblings.
The Assam Employees Parental Responsibility Norms for Accountability Monitoring Act, 2017, or Pranam Act would initially be applicable only to government employees but there are plans to bring all public sector undertakings as well as private sector employees under this Act. The Act enables aggrieved parents to lodge complaints against their children. An inquiry would be held and 10-15 per cent of the children�s salary can be deducted for maintaining the parents or disabled siblings.