Panchkula, July 23 -- As more government employees and pensioners enter retirement, the Centre has clarified that retirement housing is a State responsibility.

Still, it has stepped in with Model Guidelines to help States and union Territories create welcoming, elderly-friendly residential communities.

The Government informed the parliament the colonisation falls under State jurisdiction according to the Constitution. Consequently, the Centre does not maintain state-wise data on retirement housing projects. Instead, it circulated model guidelines to provide a uniform framework for States to include legal and regulatory provisions safeguarding the rights and interests of senior citizens and retirees in retirement homes.

The guidelines cal...