Elderly Commission: A praiseworthy initiative from the Left Government to protect the unprotected
By Suresh Unnithan
It’s a welcome move from the Left Government in Kerala to constitute a Commission for senior citizen. On Wednesday the State Assembly unanimously passed the Kerala State Elderly Commission Bill, 2025, meant to protect the rights of the elderly. Given the increasing aging population in the state – highest in India, with over 16% above 60 as of recent data, this is a proactive step from the state government to deal with issues like neglect, healthcare access, and social isolation. As the families are increasingly becoming nuclear in nature or migrating for work, the trauma of neglect the aging population confronts in beyond disruption. Incidents of bequeathing the elderly parents at rescue/old age shelters by their wards are on the rise. If done in the right spirit, the Commission could ensure dignity and support for the elderly, maybe even set a model for other states.
As a retired senior bureaucrat rightly points out “bureaucracy, financial support, and enforcement need to be tight, or this Commission will also turn out to be just another toothless body.”
Given Kerala’s demographic trends—where the elderly already make up a significant and growing portion of the population which was over 12.6% in 2011 and likely to cross 25% by 2030, constitution of such a statutory body is timely and a much welcome move by the State. Kerala was always ahead in India with initiatives like its Old Age Policy in 2006, and this Commission builds on that legacy by creating a dedicated body to tackle issues like neglect, exploitation, and abandonment, which are increasingly reported among seniors.
The commission’s mandate—offering guidelines for welfare, aiding rehabilitation, providing legal support, and tapping into seniors’ skills for societal benefit—strikes a balance between protection and empowerment. It’s not just about charity; it’s about recognizing the elderly as a resource, which aligns with Kerala’s history of valuing human development. The legal backing, tying it to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, adds teeth to the effort, making it harder for families to shirk responsibility without consequence.
However, implementation will be the real test for the administration. Kerala’s elderly population, currently around 42 lakh, faces diverse challenges—rural vs. urban divides, varying economic conditions, and access to healthcare. A commission headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram might struggle to address grassroots issues unless it’s paired with robust local mechanisms. There’s also the question of funding and bureaucratic efficiency—will it get bogged down like so many government initiatives, or will it actually deliver? The three-year tenure for members and the inclusion of senior citizens in leadership are smart moves for accountability and representation, but only if they’re not just token gestures.
In fact, the constitution of such a statutory commission for the aging could set a precedent for other states, especially as India’s overall elderly population grows (projected to hit 20.1% nationally by 2031). But a pertinent question reverberates in the society; is a commission enough, or does it need to be part of a broader overhaul of elder care systems? Nevertheless, it’s a bold step from the current Left Government. Let us hope the effort is serious and beyond just making headlines or an attempt to placate the aged to reap electoral dividends.
