Neglecting Elderly Parents: Telangana Passes Bill Allowing 15 Per Cent Salary Cut Of Delinquent Children

The Telangana government has passed a new Bill in the Legislative Assembly, making parental care a statutory obligation for residents of the state, including private and government employees as well as elected representatives of the state. The Assembly passed the 'Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026' on March 29, 2026. This Bill ensures that elderly parents are taken care of.

The State government has been contemplating this Bill for a while now. In January 2026, the government considered enforcing a 10-15 percent salary deduction for employees who neglect their elderly parents, and transfer the amount to their parents’ accounts. It proposed to discuss the Bill in the Budget Session, eventually passing it in March.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said that although the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, already exists, the new Bill is aimed at expanding on the objective.

Notably, the Bill will apply to both government and private sector employees, as well as the elected representatives. According to the provisions of the Bill, if a person fails to fulfil parental care responsibilities, authorities are allowed to deduct 15 per cent of the salary of that employee or Rs 10,000, whichever is lower. The amount so deducted will then be transferred to the parents' account as maintenance, according to a PTI report.

During discussion in the Assembly, Reddy also referred to the case of 87-year-old Vijaypat Singhania, former chairman of Raymond, who transferred all his assets to his son, but was neglected in his old age.

Singhania led the company for two decades before handing it over to his son, along with transferring his own 37 per cent stake in the company. Notably, he passed away two days before, on March 28, 2026.

The Minister highlighted that it is a moral duty to take care of parents, but legal intervention becomes indispensable when it is not done.

Calling it “unfortunate that the state has to enact such legislation”, Reddy said that in case of neglect, it becomes society’s responsibility to correct children.

The Bill outlines employees’ and public representatives’ obligations towards parental care, covering their healthcare, financial security, and housing needs. In case of neglect, the Bill provides a mechanism for authorities to intervene to enforce the provisions. It also sets up a grievance redressal mechanism for the elderly and enables them to seek maintenance from their children.