Hyderabad, March 29 (NationPress) The Telangana Legislative Assembly has unanimously approved a groundbreaking Bill aimed at imposing a 15% salary reduction on employees who fail to care for their parents.

The newly introduced Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026, received enthusiastic support from all political parties during its passage.

This legislation allows for a deduction of up to 15% or Rs 10,000—whichever is lower—from the gross salaries of employees verified to be neglecting their parental duties. The funds deducted will be directly transferred to the parents.

The scope of this Bill extends beyond government employees, encompassing private sector workers and public figures such as MLAs, MLCs, corporators, councillors, and sarpanches.

The motion for the Bill was presented by SC, ST Welfare and Senior Citizens Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar, and it was adopted through a voice vote.

In the Bill's Statement of Objects and Reasons, the state government highlighted the increasing occurrences of elderly parental neglect and emphasized the need for enforceable regulations to promote family responsibility in today's evolving socio-economic landscape.

“According to Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the right to life encompasses the right to live with dignity. Parents are integral to the Indian family system. Hence, it is critical to establish enforceable standards for employees who neglect their parents, ensuring that all employees set a positive example in society,” the Bill states.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy remarked that the Bill signifies a crucial advancement in safeguarding elderly parents.

He articulated that the government introduced this Bill following extensive discussions, driven by a strong sense of responsibility and emotional conviction. The intent behind this law is to instill a sense of accountability in individuals who show disrespect towards their parents.

He expressed concern that society has increasingly lost sight of human connections and emotional ties, often neglecting the sacred bond of family in favor of relentless pursuits of material wealth.

“It paints a bleak picture of society when parents—abandoned and in distress—are left to weep,” he commented.

The Chief Minister shared an anecdote about a public representative who neglected his father during his cancer diagnosis, ultimately leading to the father's recent passing.

He urged society to ostracize those who abandon their parental responsibilities.

CM Reddy pointed out that the central government enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, mandating children to care for their parents, yet parental neglect persists.

He acknowledged that while this legislation may not solve every issue, it was introduced as a matter of social responsibility to reassure elderly parents that they will receive the justice they deserve.

“This Bill is being rolled out with the firm belief that no parent should ever live in destitution or suffer hardships regarding their care and well-being in their later years,” he said.

The Chief Minister also discussed the decline of joint family structures.

“In earlier times, families were larger. If one child could not attend to their parents' needs, another would step in to help. Today, due to family planning, families often consist of only one or two children. Although daughters may deeply care for their parents, they often find it challenging to provide care due to their commitments to their marital homes,” he noted.