Kolkata: In a heart-wrenching plea, an woman in her late 70s has written to the local authorities in West Bengal seeking permission to die by means of 'assisted suicide'.
Purnima Pramanik, a resident of Durgapur, claims her son has abandoned her and she is left with no money to take care of her daily needs. "My husband died few years ago and now I am too old. I no longer feel at home in this world since my son doesn't look after me. Please help me leave this world peacefully," she said in her plea.
Speaking to News18, sub divisional officer Sankar Santra said, "I was taken aback by the plight of this lady. I have assured her all assistance. She wished to die, but we counseled her and sent her back home with some help."
"We contacted the son's office in Kolkata and came to know that he is well settled. Despite repeated reminders, there was no response. Finally, we managed to get in touch with him and have asked him to appear before the tribunal, meant for the welfare of elderly people. If he fails to turn up we may then have to take action as per provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act," the SDO said.
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is a legislation enforced by the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment. The Act makes it mandatory for children to provide for maintenance to senior citizens and parents by means of monthly allowance.
Recently, an elderly couple in Mumbai wrote to President Ram Nath Kovind seeking permission for active euthanasia.
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