Mohali :
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a serious view of the failure to construct government-run old-age homes for senior citizens in both states, as promised to the court. The development follows a contempt petition filed by Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi.
Justice Vikram Aggarwal issued notices to the Punjab and Haryana governments and GMADA, directing them to submit their responses and status reports by February 10, 2026. Counsels for the states and GMADA accepted notice in court.
The petition highlights that despite undertakings given during a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2014 under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, the governments have not fulfilled their commitments. Punjab had assured construction of old-age homes in 21 districts by 2022, while Haryana committed to establishing facilities in every district by 2024. Currently, only Hoshiarpur and Barnala in Punjab have operational homes, while Mansa’s facility awaits inauguration. Other districts rely on NGO-run homes, which the petitioner argues contravenes the law and court directions.
For Mohali, the petition notes that GMADA had offered 2.92 acres of land for a government old-age home in 2023, but the project remains stalled due to incomplete land transfer.
The petition seeks strict contempt proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and Article 215 of the Constitution against officials who have willfully disobeyed court orders.
Deputy Mayor Bedi, who has been pursuing the matter for 11 years, urged the governments to act promptly, emphasizing the need to protect the legal rights of senior citizens.
