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Section 30: Power of Central Government to give directions

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 2007
Section 29 All 32 Sections of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 Section 31

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 30

Section 30 empowers the Central Government to give binding executive directions to State Governments for carrying out the execution of the provisions of the Senior Citizens Act.

  • Central Executive Directions: The Central Government may give directions to State Governments as to the carrying into execution of the provisions of this Act.
  • National Standardization: Authorizes the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to issue uniform national guidelines for old age homes, geriatric healthcare, and maintenance enforcement.
  • Constitutional Authority: Grounds the Central Government's oversight authority in Article 256 and 257 of the Constitution.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Ashwani Kumar v. Union of India (2019) 2 SCC 636: The Supreme Court directed the Central Government to exercise its powers under Section 30 to issue binding national directives to all States to standardize pension schemes and establish functional geriatric wards.
  • S. Vanitha v. Deputy Commissioner (2021) 15 SCC 730: Observed that the national framework under Section 30 ensures uniform protection for elderly persons across all federal units.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

In public interest litigation or policy challenges seeking enhanced old-age pensions or standard operational protocols for Maintenance Tribunals, invoke Section 30 to petition the Central Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Section 29 All 32 Sections of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 Section 31