Kerala's Fading Janamaithri Network Raises Concerns Over Elderly Care

A 74-year-old retired headteacher, Pushpavally, was found dead in her isolated residence in Kozhikode district, Kerala, after five days, with her body in a decomposed state. The police confirmed that the death occurred around five days earlier, based on medical reports.

The incident has raised concerns over the weakening Janamaithri policing network, which was once intended to safeguard the elderly population living alone. According to a retired police officer, the network's decline is due to insufficient government funding, which has severely affected field activities.

The Janamaithri scheme, launched in 2008, included special patrol and monitoring systems in isolated urban and rural residential areas, but these are no longer functioning under any police station. Officers who were part of the project say that many police stations are now carrying out only nominal activities without any fresh projects or reviving schemes that were dropped midway.

Local body members and residents' association functionaries have expressed disappointment over the situation, citing the transfer of active officers and the lack of coordination work. However, a senior police officer associated with the outreach programmes has clarified that proposals can be submitted to the new government to revamp the important schemes, and local residents' forums and social organisations have a big role to play in pushing for the same. The court will not be involved in this case, but the police department will review the incident and the functioning of the Janamaithri policing network.