Hyderabad: Chief minister Revanth Reddy said that the Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026 was introduced to safeguard the rights of parents, adding that society should ostracise those who fail to care for them. The Bill was approved by the legislative assembly on Sunday.During the discussions, the CM conveyed that the govt’s goal is for children to care for their parents, whether out of love or a sense of obligation. He referred to the story of Shravan Kumar from ancient lore to illustrate true filial devotion, suggesting that if children cared for their parents like Shravan — who carried his parents to pilgrimage sites despite his lack of wealth — there would be no need for such legislation. He also recounted an instance, without naming a former Telangana minister, who neglected his father during his battle with cancer, ultimately leading to the father’s passing.The CM stated that the Bill was crafted with a deep sense of responsibility and emotion, aiming to instill accountability in those who lack devotion to their parents. He underscored that the law is a vital step towards safeguarding elderly parents. He lamented the decline of familial bonds, noting that many now prioritise material wealth over relationships. “It is disheartening to see parents left orphaned by their own children,” he remarked. While India has numerous laws safeguarding children’s welfare and women’s rights, the neglect and discrimination faced by parents remain evident.Revanth also expressed sadness over children who fail to support their parents, only to squabble over property after their passing. He quoted a film dialogue that poses the question of how one can give birth to children but fail to instill values in them. The CM indicated that, in the past, larger families and joint living arrangements ensured that parents were cared for, but the trend towards smaller families has altered that dynamic. While daughters undoubtedly love their parents, they often find themselves constrained by their marital responsibilities.He emphasised that the Bill is a measure of social responsibility rather than a blanket solution to all issues. Responding to suggestions from BJP members advocating a monthly maintenance amount higher than 10,000 for elderly parents, he explained that a Central Act already stipulates this amount. “If we propose a higher figure in our Bill, it could create inconsistencies with the Central legislation,” he clarified. MSID:: 129880784 413 |
