Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 14 -- The Keralam government on Tuesday introduced a bill for the protection of senior citizens from abuse and exploitation and ensure better access to healthcare and social security, proposing imprisonment up to three years and fine up to Rs.50,000 for physical or mental cruelty, mandatory registration of care centres, training and certification of home caregivers and special cells in police stations to tackle cybercrime complaints as some of its provisions. The Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection) Bill, 2026, introduced by chief minister VD Satheesan in the state assembly, seeks to protect the rights and dignity of senior citizens, ensuring capacity-building of senior citizen care centres and simpler access for the elderly population to government and police services. "As a state, we cannot overlook the demographic changes taking place here. The share of young persons is decreasing due to various factors. At the same time, the longevity of our population is rising. It is estimated that by 2036, the number of senior citizens in Keralam will be double the national average," said CM Satheesan in the Assembly, while moving the legislation. According to the bill, the state will ensure that senior citizens have access to income-generating activities, access to food security programmes and healthcare facilities and have appropriate right to make a "living will" regarding the future ownership of their assets. The bill fixes penalties for offences against senior citizens. A family member, legal heir or staff of a care centre causing physical or mental abuse or cruelty towards senior citizens can be imprisoned up to three years and fined Rs.50,000. Those abandoning senior citizens without their consent can also be jailed up to three years and fined Rs.50,000. The bill states that the government will set up state-level and district-level senior citizen care protection units who will monitor schemes and policies for elderly persons. To tackle rising cases of elderly persons falling victim to cybercrime, the bill provides for setting up a senior citizen cyber cell in all cyber police stations in the state. The Bill, after a brief debate in the assembly on Tuesday, was referred to the finance subject committee for further scrutiny....