Mangaluru: Officials should have knowledge of the laws pertaining to the protection of senior citizens, said Human Rights Activist and Human Rights Protection Foundation president Dr Ravindranath Shanubhogue.

He was addressing an awareness programme organised by Kalpa Trust on World Elders’ Day at Sharada Vidyalaya on Sunday. “Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 gives powers to Assistant Commissioners to conduct summary trails and resolve the issues related to the elders, who have been deprived of their belongings.

The assistant commissioner can pass an order to re-transfer to elders assets that were transferred by their children maliciously. There are certain cases where the aged are returned their houses and property after investigation by the authority concerning,” Shanubhogue said.

“But, many authorities are unaware of the provision of the Act. Also, there were certain shortcomings in the Act. The Central government should look into the same and also 17 amendments to the Act,” Shanubhogue said and added that the ministry concerned has formed an amendment committee and has invited him to be a part of the committee.

He lamented that many people ill-treat their aged parents after transfer of property and 90% of such elderly are women.

Kalpa Trust chairperson Pramila Rao said that the Trust would conduct programmes in the colleges to create awareness on the Acts pertaining to the protection of senior citizen.

Sharada Education Institutions chairman Prof M B Puranik, Government First Grade College principal Tara Rao, Bharat Scouts and Guides District Training commissioner Pratham Kumar and A B Shetty Dental College former dean Shridhar Shetty were present.