benefits concessions schemes for senior citizens: Chandigarh

(I) Old Age Pension Scheme

Old Age Pension @ Rs.200/- p.m. is being given to the eligible old age persons in U.T. Chandigarh, whose minimum age is 60 in case of both male and female. The eligibility criteria for grant of old age pension is as under:-

(i) Monthly income should not exceeds Rs.1000/- if spouse is not living and Rs.1,500/- if spouse is living excluding the income of sons who are living separately.

(ii) Domicile in U.T, Chandigarh and have resided in Chandigarh for more than three years.

(II) Senior Citizens Home

Senior Citizens Home is situated in Sector 43-A, Chandigarh. The main objective behind setting up this home was to give secure and homely atmosphere to the well off citizens who have paying capacity but living alone in Chandigarh. There are 24 rooms with attached toilets, a health center, Multi-purpose hall and a Day Club. In case of emergency, there is medical tie up and ambulance arrangement with the Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh. This home is being managed by the Chandigarh Child and Women Development Corporation.

(III) Old Age Home

Grant in aid is being given by the Social Welfare Department for running the Management of Old Age Home in Sector 15, Chandigarh. At present, the Home is being managed by the Lions Club Chandigarh Central. All the needs of the Old & Destitute People are being looked after well in this Home.

Hitkari Social Welfare Society, #2524, Sector 37-C, Chandigarh- Engaged for the welfare of women children, aged and infirm

Chandigarh Senior Citizen Association, Room No.2, Karuna Sadan Building, Sector 11, Chandigarh.- Welfare of Older Persons. Organised free medical camps and assistance to Senior Citizens at nominated hospitals/ dispensary. Four Physiotherapy centres are also being run by this association.

Servants of the People Society, Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15, Chandigarh.-  Counseling centre for drug addicts and Physiotherapy centre & dispensary for aged people at Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Chandigarh. A helpline for drug addicts is also functioning.

The maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 Rules have been notified for UT of Chandigarh in the beginning of August 2009,  which provides for the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens and ensures maintenance for their livelihood. The Act was notified by the Union Territory on 22.10.2008
As per the clause 7 of the Act, UT has declared Sub Divisional Magistrates (Central, East and South) as Maintenance Tribunals for the purpose of adjudicating and deciding upon the order for maintenance under Section 5 and District Magistrate as Appellate Tribunal under Section 15 to hear the appeal against the order of the Tribunal.
As per clause 4 of the Act an application for maintenance may be made:
by a senior citizen or a parent, as the case may be; or
if he is incapable, by any other person or organization authorized by him; or
the Tribunal may take cognizance suo motu.


The Act gives protection to the senior citizens transferring their property by way of gift or otherwise his property subject to the condition that the transferee shall provide the basic amenities and basic physical needs to the transferor, if he refuses or fails to provide them, all such transfers can be declared as void if they are made as a result of fraud or coercion.

Whosoever abandons any senior citizen, having care or protection of such person can be punished with a term which may extend to three months or fine which may extend to Rs 5000/- or with both (Clause 24 of the Act)

The Tribunal (SDMS) can award maximum maintenance allowance of Rs 10,000/- per month (Clause 14 of the rules)

The Jurisdiction of civil courts is barred to entertain any matter pertaining to this act

Under Rule 19, the District Magistrate shall Perform the duties and exercise the powers mentioned in sub-rules(2) and (3) so as to ensure that the provisions of the Act are properly carried out in his district

Under Rule 20, Senior Superintendent of Police shall take all necessary steps, subject to such guidelines as the State Government may issue from time to time, for the protection of life and property of senior citizens

Under Rule 21, a committee has been constituted by the UT Administration to look after the welfare of the senior citizens which is as under:

Secretary Social Welfare Chandigarh Administration-Chairman
Director Health Services chandigarh Administration- Member Ex officio
Director Public Relations Chandigarh Administration- Member Ex Officio
Director Social Welfare - Member Secretary Ex officio
Maj. Gen ( Retd) M.S Kandal -Member
Dr Raj Kumar Gupta -Member
Sh P.C Sanghi - Member
Sh Prit Pal Singh -Member
Dr M.L Kataria -Member
sh Vinod Chadha -Member
Fr. Sabestian Jose -Member
Sh Bhavneshwar Sharma -Member
Sh. Inderjit Singh Dhillon -Member


There will also be conciliation Officers to look after the welfare of senior citizens
Sh. P. C. Sanghi
Gen. (Rtd) Inderjit Singh Dhillon
Sh Prit Pal Singh
Sh Gurnam Singh
Sh S. D Kalia
V.S Sodhi
Mrs. Jasbir Kaur
Sh. H.S Walia
Sh. K. R. Vadehra



Chandigarh Police Also has established Senior Citizens Help Line under Number 1090 for the convenience of Senior Citizens


Besides above the following are the telephone number of Tribunals and Appellate Authority:

1. Sub Divisional Magistrate (Central) :2700218

2. Sub Divisional Magistrate (East) : 2679010

3. Sub Divisional Magistrate (South) :2676016

4. Appellate Authority : 2700109

In UT, Chandigarh, the following Old Age Homes are running:

1.Old Age home, Sector 15 :2770021

2. Senior Citizen Home, Sector 43 :2623365

3. Satya Sai Old Age Home : 2641747

4. Pingalwara at Palsora : 98140-79438

Source: http://chandigarh.gov.in/dept_social.htm