Greater Noida: The Social Welfare Department on Saturday issued a notice mandating that all old-age homes in Gautam Buddha Nagar register on the government portal. This comes two days after a joint surprise inspection by the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Women and the department at Anand Niketan Vridh Ashram in Noida’s Sector 55, following allegations of inadequate facilities for elderly residents.
Meanwhile, Noida City Magistrate Vivekanand Mishra also inspected the ashram on Saturday and directed its management to submit all relevant registration documents within two days. The old-age home has dismissed the allegations, calling them an attempt at defamation.
“All the old age homes, and day care centres, be it subsidised/non-subsidised by central/state government, or self-financedoperating in Gautam Buddha Nagar district are hereby informed to immediately register their institutions on the UP government or Social Welfare Department’s website and submit the information along with all the necessary documents to the office of District Social Welfare Officer Gautam Buddha Nagar or Senior Citizen Maintenance Officer,” Social Welfare department’s order read, according to the Indian Express report.
“If in the future, during the investigation of any institution, it is found that the institution has not registered on the above website, action will be taken as per rules,” the official order stated.
Anand Niketan Old Age Home Case
The Anand Niketan Vridh Ashram came under scrutiny after a video went viral showing an elderly woman tied up inside a room. The footage, sent to the Social Welfare Department in Lucknow, prompted a surprise inspection, during which two elderly women and a man were rescued on Thursday.
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“A team carried out an inspection on Saturday, and the trustee (of Anand Niketan) has been told to provide all valid documents at the earliest. The report will be submitted to the District Magistrate, and only after that, further decisions will be taken. The reports are expected within a day or two,” said Satish Kumar, District Social Welfare Officer, Gautam Buddha Nagar.
When questioned about the 69-year-old woman found with her hands tied, Amarveer Singh, a trustee of Jan Kalyan Samiti, stated at a press briefing, “When she was admitted, her form mentioned that she was ‘not normal.’ Her hands were tied because she would throw utensils at the caretakers, it was a precautionary measure to ensure her safety and that of the staff.”
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Despite the allegations, Singh said many families have expressed satisfaction with the care provided at the facility. He added that family members of 21 inmates have given written consent to keep their elderly relatives at the old-age home. Singh also noted that the trust is registered and holds a certificate issued by the Uttar Pradesh government, valid until 2026.
“The department is preparing all the papers, and depending on the report, further steps will be taken,” said Maneesha Bharala, a member of the State Women’s Commission.