CONSIDERING THE impact of elder abuse throughout the world, the United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all countries in Madrid in 2002 took cognizance of the prevalence of elder abuse and put it in the frame work of human rights violation. The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) is guiding, helping and watching various aspects of the problem and in 2006 declared June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day adopting the Slogan, ‘My World, Your World, Our World- Free of Elder Abuse’. The day is now declared to be observed every year for creating awareness against abuse of elders.

According to the INPEA, elder abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect.

Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation and despair. Confronting and reducing elder abuse requires a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach.

In India, the government had announced a comprehensive policy for older persons in 1999 with a clear positive directive to take steps to ensure flow of benefits to older persons, as provided in each paragraph.

Words used in the policy are `will be done` and not `may or shall be done`. Para 93 of the policy clearly lays down that each ministry will prepare action plan for the year as well as five year and fix targets and time schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons.

Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dated June 27, 2008 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/(A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to ministry of social justice & empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons. Non implementation of this policy by Central and state governments and other stake holders even after 10 years is nothing but deplorable abuse of elders in India in light of INPEA`s above definition!

On the auspicious day of June 15, let all international organisations working in India and all Indian organisations like Alliance of Senior Citizens Associations of India (NASCAI), Hyderabad; All India Confederation of Associations of Senior Citizens (AISCCON), Dignity Foundation, Harmony Foundation, Bharat Central Pensioners Confederation, Delhi, Senior Citizens Bureau, Chennai, all state federations, bigger Organisations at any level and even individuals should take a serious note of these abuses and make out a comprehensive plan to represent to the concerned authorities, society, media, etc.

This is the most opportune time for representation, demonstration, agitation etc, as new ministers are taking over at the Centre. This major abuse of non-implementation of policy for 10 years, affecting the entire community of senior citizens, if highlighted in proper perspective at proper time will bring good results by timely provision of funds in Budget to be presented before July 31.