Hyderabad, March 29 The Telangana Assembly passed the ‘Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026’ on Sunday, aimed at ensuring dignity for senior citizens.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said the Bill seeks to go beyond existing central legislation.
He noted that the country already has a national law, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
However, the State’s new Bill will also cover public representatives and private employees.
The Bill mandates that public representatives, government employees, and private employees care for their elderly parents. Failure to comply will result in a deduction of 15 per cent of the salary or Rs 10,000, whichever is lower, payable to the parents.
Speaking during the discussion, Reddy cited the case of businessman Vijaypat Singhania, who had bequeathed all his assets to his son, only to be later turned out.
“The state government, as a social responsibility, has brought this Bill. It is not like any other legislation. While inculcating moral values among people, if anyone neglects their parents, they should be brought under the purview of the law to ensure they care for them,” he said.
Reddy added that it is society’s responsibility to correct children who neglect their parents, and termed it unfortunate that the state has to enact such legislation.
According to the CM, those who neglect their parents have no right to live in society.
The legislation clearly delineates the obligations of employees towards the care and maintenance of their parents.
It mandates accountability for ensuring essential aspects of elderly welfare, such as healthcare, housing, and financial security, a press release said.
The provisions also address instances of neglect, establishing mechanisms that enable authorities to intervene and enforce compliance where necessary.
The Bill empowers parents with the right to seek maintenance from their children and provides a formal grievance redressal mechanism.
It is expected to address growing concerns over the abandonment and neglect of the elderly while reinforcing the moral and social fabric of the family system, the release added.
“There is no life without parents. It is everyone’s responsibility to look after them,” Minister Konda Surekha said while participating in the discussion on the Bill.
“There is a need to fix responsibilities. Society needs to change its attitude towards the elderly. I sincerely appreciate the chief minister for bringing such an initiative,” she said.
BJP MLA Payal Shankar, describing it as the "first of its kind in the country", said his party supports the Bill and suggested that the amount specified should be enhanced.
CPI member K Sambasiva Rao said his party also supports the Bill.