The Telangana government is moving forward with legislation aimed at ensuring financial support for elderly parents of government employees. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced on Monday that a draft bill will be tabled during the upcoming Budget session, which would allow for salary deductions in cases of parental neglect.
Addressing a public gathering, Reddy explained that the proposed law would make it mandatory for government staff to contribute financially to their aging parents’ well-being. Under the draft, if an employee is found neglecting their elderly parents, 10 to 15 percent of their salary could be deducted and directly transferred to the parents’ bank accounts.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the bill aims to promote social responsibility rather than act as a punitive measure. He urged employees to voluntarily support their parents without waiting for legal enforcement, highlighting that many elderly from poor and middle-class backgrounds have exhausted their savings supporting their children’s education and careers, only to be left vulnerable in old age.
Reddy stated that the government’s move is intended to prevent neglect and ensure that aging parents receive necessary support, especially as the state seeks to safeguard the welfare of its senior citizens.
The announcement coincided with the launch of two new welfare initiatives: Bala Bharosa for children and Pranaam Day Care Centres for senior citizens. The latter, set up at 37 locations across the state at a cost of ₹1 crore each, will serve as support hubs providing meals and basic facilities for the elderly. Additionally, the government unveiled a scheme to supply assistive devices to persons with disabilities.
Currently, Assam is the only Indian state with a similar law— the PRANAM Act— which permits salary deductions from government employees who do not support their dependent parents. If Telangana’s legislation is enacted, it would become the second state in the country to formalize such a provision, reinforcing the government’s commitment to elder care and social responsibility.
