To Date. 27-5-2009.
Dr. Manmohan Singhji,
Hon. Prime Minister, Government of India,
New Delhi-110 011.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Welcome and a Call to eradicate Elder Abuse done by various Ministries.
We, the nine crore Senior Citizens of India are very happy to welcome you as our Prime Minister and we are very proud that one of our Senior Citizens has become our Prime Minister. We wish you very bright success in your this very important assignment and hope that you shall bring up our Country as the Best in all respects in the entire World.
!5-6-2009 is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day declared by UNO. According to the INPEA, Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multisectoral & multidisciplinary approach.
Our Government had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 with clear directive in each of 99 paras of the Policy that provision made in each para will be done and no where words ``shall or may be done`` were used. Para 93 of the Policy clearly lays down that each Ministry will prepare Action Plan for the Year as well as for Five Year and fix Targets and Time Schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons. Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dt 27-6-08 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/(A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to Ministry Of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons. Not implementing this Policy by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 10 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders of India in light of INPEA`s above definition! UNO has also started taking stock of implementation by various Governments of their directives given in their United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all Countries in Madrid in 2002.
As Finance Minister is processing the Budget for 2008-09, we request you to call for demands of all Ministries for implementation of their portion of the Policy and get them the required funds for your CO-AGERS (ELDERS) and get them their benefits denied for last 10 years.
First and Foremost Abuse in our Country is Non-utilization of Senior Citizens!! A person retires from service at 60 compulsorily and has nothing to do. He rests and does not remain active, resulting in deteriorating health & connected problems! He abuses himself!! He develops inertia of doing nothing; he does not participate in any functions, does not go to any Associations, and develops inertia in many respects. You can find many Senior Citizens just sitting in groups on closed premises of Banks or Shops, as they are not welcome in their houses. They have no respect in family or society! They just kill their time watching passing vehicles & women!! Just as employment guarantee is provided to rural population by enacting Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and Bharat Nirman etc, Senior Citizens should be provided ample avenues of employment by passing suitable Act/ordinance and increasing retirement age etc. Daily Care Centers-Multi Service Centers should be provided early by the Governments, Municipalities-Panchayats and Corporate Sectors for enabling Senior Citizens to stop their own Abuse and pass their time actively and usefully. This is the first and foremost Abuse by these agencies and as such we request our very beloved Prime Minister to give serious thought to this pitiable position and problem and create sufficient avenues for utilization of this large Think-Tank of the Country. We request you to give a comprehensive plan for Senior Citizens covering all points enumerated in the Policy,99.
As per para 63, a Welfare Fund is to be created for Elders. This may also be got done during this year, as nothing is done in these 10 years.
.
Senior Citizen is defined as a person of 60 years. Finance Ministry gives concessions in Income Tax to those, who have completed 65 years. As a Senior Citizen needs financial relief immediately on retirement, this concession may be extended to all above 60 years. Many Senior Citizens have been paying Income Tax from their early careers for last so many years and they should now be completely exempted from paying Income Tax, as their income is now limited and enough taxes are being paid by them now also through consumables, service tax etc. If this not possible, at least the present exemption limit may please be increased to Rs. 3.50 lakhs.
As income of Senior Citizens is decreasing day by day due to increasing prices and World Recession factors, it is necessary to increase their income by way of 2% additional rate of interest for their Deposits in Banks & Post Offices, Savings Bank Accounts, Senior Citizens Saving Schemes etc. Certain % of jobs in social orientation works should be reserved for their part time employment. Legislation /ordinance should be passed to utilize them in various activities by Government Departments & Local Bodies by paying honorarium.
As per para 28, Finance Ministry has to give concessions/rebates to children keeping their parents. This will encourage children to look after their parents better and our Joint Family System shall get boost. This may be provided during this year.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension is a meager amount of Rs 200 from Central Government for a BPL Family of 5 persons, which is a mockery of human being. Even the procedure of classifying as BPL is very complicated and requires to be simplified. The amount of Pension and eligibility for being classified should be increased considerably, keeping in view the Country’s GDP and Average National Income etc and Abuse of poor elders reduced.
Another aspect of Elders` life requiring your personal advice to concerned Ministers is Health problems of elderly for which detailed provisions are made in paras 33 to 47 in the Policy but nothing much is done by Health Ministry. You will be surprised to know that no action is taken by Health Ministry for last 10 years on this Policy, 99, as there were no funds available for Health Care of the Elderly in 9th & 10th Five Year Plans, as advised in letter no. F.No.T-21014/02/2008-NCD dt 3-3-08. Health Care Needs of Elderly are required to be given high priority, as health problems are associated with age and cost of Health Care is very high and beyond reach of Elders. Health Ministry has to provide free/concessional treatments by legislating and controlling public & private Hospitals/Dispensaries/Doctors/Medicine Producers etc. Charitable Trusts etc are to be encouraged by giving grants, tax concessions, land at subsidized rate etc for providing free/concessional treatment to Elders. Geriatric wards are absolutely necessary in all Hospitals. Special Training to treat Elders with respect and care is necessary. Guidance about diet etc to Elders and proper training to Care Givers is also required to be provided early. Health Education programmes involving mass Media is also to be arranged. Provision for mental health, Alzheimer diseases, hose pices etc is required to be made early. Health Insurance has also to be made affordable, permitting entry at any age with pre-existing diseases etc. A separate Fund to provide subsidies for insurance for all is required to be created as per Sastry Committee recommendations. Just like IRDA, a Regulatory Authority for Private Hospitals and Fixation of charges for each Medical Process, as suggested by Armed Forces Medical College, Pune are required to be created very early. Medicines have to be made cheaper by obtaining concessions from manufacturers and providing subsidies.
States are also not implementing the orders/directives of Nodal Ministry and many have not adopted State Policy and created State Councils etc. You may draw special attention of Chief Ministers, giving them targets.
We request you to consider these aspects sympathetically and take prompt & proper action very early. A line in reply will be very much appreciated.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely
(M.V.Ruparelia)
M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane. 401 107. T.No. 022-28123691. M. 09821732855.
To Date. 27-5-2009.
Shri Pranav Mukherji,
Hon. Minister of Finance, Government of India,
North Block, New Delhi-110 011.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Welcome and a Call to eradicate Elder Abuse done by your Ministry.
We, the nine crore Senior Citizens of India are very happy to welcome you as our Finance Minister and we are very proud that one of our Senior Citizens has become our Finance Minister. We wish you very bright success in your this very important assignment and hope that you shall bring up our economy from the bad effects of the present World Economic Depression.
!5-6-2009 is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day declared by UNO. According to the INPEA, Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multisectoral & multidisciplinary approach.
Our Government had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 with clear directive in each of 99 paras of the Policy that provision made in each para will be done and no where words ``shall or may be done`` were used. Para 93 of the Policy clearly lays down that each Ministry will prepare Action Plan for the Year as well as for Five Year and fix Targets and Time Schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons. Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dt 27-6-08 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/(A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to Ministry Of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons. Not implementing this Policy by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 10 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders of India in light of INPEA`s above definition! UNO has also started taking stock of implementation by various Governments of their directives given in their United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all Countries in Madrid in 2002.
As you are processing the Budget for 2008-09, we request you to call for demands of all Ministries for implementation of their portion of the Policy and give them the required funds for your CO-AGERS (ELDERS) and get them their benefits denied for last 10 years. As per Policy, Finance Ministry has to arrange for funds. As per para 63, a Welfare Fund is to be created for Elders. This may also be done during this year.
Senior Citizen is defined as a person of 60 years. Your Ministry gives concessions in Income Tax to those, who have completed 65 years. As a Senior Citizen needs financial relief immediately on retirement, this concession may be extended to all above 60 years. Many Senior Citizens have been paying Income Tax from their early careers for last so many years and they should now be completely exempted from paying Income Tax, as their income is now limited and enough taxes are paid by them through consumable s, service tax etc. If this not possible, at least the present exemption limit may please be increased to Rs. 3.50 lakhs.
As income of Senior Citizens is decreasing day by day due to increasing prices and World Recession factors, it is necessary to increase their income by way of 2% additional rate of interest for their Deposits in Banks & Post Offices, Savings Bank Accounts, Senior Citizens Saving Schemes etc. Certain % of jobs in social orientation works should be reserved for their part time employment. Legislation /ordinance should be passed to utilize them in various activities by Government Departments & Local Bodies by paying honorarium.
As per para 28, Finance Ministry has to give concessions/rebates to children keeping their parents. This may be provided during this year.
First and Foremost Abuse in our Country is Non-utilization of Senior Citizens!! A person retires from service at 60 compulsorily and has nothing to do. He rests and does not remain active, resulting in deteriorating health & connected problems! He abuses himself!! He develops inertia of doing nothing; he does not participate in any functions, does not go to any Associations, and develops inertia in many respects. Just as employment guarantee is provided to rural population by enacting Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and Bharat Nirman etc, Senior Citizens should be provided ample avenues of employment by passing suitable Act/ordinance and increasing retirement age etc. Daily Care Centers-Multi Service Centers should be provided early by the Governments, Municipalities-Panchayats and Corporate Sectors for enabling Senior Citizens to stop their own Abuse and pass their time actively and usefully. This is the first and foremost Abuse by these agencies and as such we request our very senior Finance Minister to impress upon Prime Minister & other Ministers to give serious thought to this problem and create sufficient avenues for utilization of this large Think-Tank of the Country.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension is a meager amount of Rs 200 from Central Government for a BPL Family of 5 persons, which is a mockery of human being. This should be increased and Abuse of poor elders reduced.
We request to consider these aspects sympathetically and take prompt & proper action very early. A line in reply will be very much appreciated.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely
(M.V.Ruparelia)
M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane. 401 107. T.No. 022-28123691. M. 09821732855.
To Date. 27-5-2009.
Hon. Mamta Banerjee,
Minister of Railways, Government of India,
Rail Bhawan, New Delhi-110 011.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Welcome and a Call to eradicate Elder Abuse done by your Ministry.
We, the nine crore Senior Citizens of India are very happy to welcome you as our Railway Minister. We wish you very bright success in your this very important assignment and hope that you shall bring up the Railway Working to the Top Standard and bring out the human face of the Railways to forefront..
!5-6-2009 is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day declared by UNO. According to the INPEA, Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multisectoral & multidisciplinary approach.
Our Government had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 with clear directive in each of 98 paras of the Policy that provision made in each para will be done and no where words ``shall or may be done`` were used. Para 93 of the Policy clearly lays down that each Ministry will prepare Action Plan for the Year as well as for Five Year and fix Targets and Time Schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons. Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dt 27-6-08 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/(A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to Ministry Of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons. Not implementing this Policy by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 10 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders in India in light of INPEA`s above definition! UNO has also started taking stock of implementation by various Governments of their directives given in their United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all Countries in Madrid in 2002.
As you are processing the Budget for 2008-09, we request you to provide liberally for implementation of various provisions of the Policy, 99 for your retired employees as well as other Senior Citizens and get them their benefits denied for last 10 years. Action to be taken by Railway Ministry on various paras of the Policy, 99 is shown in the Annexure.
You will be surprised to know that there is no reservation for Senior Citizens in any of the trains, except 2 berths for ladies above 45 & Senior Citizens traveling alone in AC & Sleeper Coaches. Sufficient number of berths is required to be reserved for elders in view of their physical weakness. Even in suburban trains, no separate coach as for ladies & handicaps is provided, making their travel in suburban train impossible. They have to go for medical treatment in morning hours but can not enter the train. Some seats are reserved between 12 to 3 but it is difficult to reach those seats due to heavy rush during that period also. We request you to give your personal attention to this burning issue and get us sufficient quota for reservation in through trains and separate coach in suburban trains. Reservation counters for Senior Citizens are also combined with different quota holders and tatkal bookings, causing lot of inconvenience for standing for reservation. Last year Concession to women elders is increased to 50%. We request to increase it to same level this year for gents also. There is a system of automatic upgradation from lower to higher class of travel without paying any difference to Railway. Preference should be given to Senior Citizens including retired employees in such upgradation.
As you have announced your desire to issue monthly passes for Rs. 50 for students and Rs. 20 passes for vendors, we request you to give such passes to us-your Elders also, who have serious problem of passing time. Such Passes to them will be well utilized in visiting various places of our Country and also for doing service to the Society.
We request to consider these aspects sympathetically and take prompt & proper action very early. A line in reply will be very much appreciated.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely
(M.V.Ruparelia)
Annexure showing Action required to be taken on various Paras of NPOP,99:
ii) Para 35: To expand the health services in various Railways including other independent Units for preventive, rehabilitative and geriatric care facilities for retired employees.
iii) Para 39: To issue instructions for separate ques for retired employees and to ensure its implementation by monitoring and/or reiterating instructions. Geriatric wards are to be set up in all Railway Hospitals.
iv) Para 40, 41, 86: To issue instructions for training of Railway Doctors & other Para-Medical staff for proper care and respect for retired employees. To provide Mobile care and hospice care for bed ridden employees in various hospitals.
v) Para 42 & 43: To issue instructional/guidance/nutritional material on self care of retired employees.
vi) Para 44 & 45: To issue instructions to promote healthy ageing amongst the retired staff. To issue instructions to treat their retired elders properly and to educate them for healthy ageing and to provide facilities of yoga, meditation etc. There should be proper education programmes for retired staff and they should be taken on Advisory Committees to bring out difficulties faced by them in getting treatment, keeping in view the spirit of NPOP, 99. Repeated orientation training and instructions to treat retired staff with respect by Doctors and staff are necessary.
vii) Para 46: To provide Counseling facilities in various hospitals.
Transportation:
vii) Para 68: a) To persuade Railways to give 50% concession to all Senior Citizens, as by Air & State Road Transport without distinguishing between Gents & Ladies.
b) No quota is fixed for reservation for Senior Citizens in any of the trains, though large quotas are fixed for ladies, handicaps, military & VIPs. Senior Citizens above 70-75 are more vulnerable than handicaps and ladies.
c) In suburban trains also, not only some compartments but entire trains are reserved for ladies but Senior Citizens are denied a small separate coach, as given to handicaps. With the deteriorating health condition, when they are required to go to doctors, consultants, Hospitals etc in the morning for pathological tests, they are facing hardships and as such, they should be provided separate coach or permitted to go in coaches/trains reserved for ladies & handicaps.
d) Railways are having large number of Holiday Homes, Rest Houses, Convalescent Homes etc and not given concessions in rent though provision of this para provides for concession to Senior Citizens.
viii) Para 70: Railways are having a big Publicity Department but no instructions are issued by Ministry to Railways to highlight the issues pertaining to their retired staff every year on 1st October and call them on that occasion for Get-Together and meeting each other and know about their problems etc. Existing Welfare Branches at Ministry as well as local levels can be instructed to do needful, as envisaged in various paras of the Policy.
ix) Para 73: Railways are having well organized Personnel Department with Efficient Negotiating Machinery. They may be pursued to have continuous dialogue with NGOs doing welfare of Senior Citizens of Railways and recognize/encourage Associations of Senior Citizens of Railways by giving accommodation, place for their meetings etc. They have large number of Welfare Centres through out the Country and these can be allowed for retired staff & their Association of Senior Citizens.
x) Para 76: Railways can set up voluntary programmes for participation of retired staff in their various programmes, celebrations of Railway Week etc. They can also provide Colonies for Retired Staff with basic facilities.
xi) Para 78 & 79: Railway work is specialized one and retired staff is well trained to tackle various works efficiently. Railways need trained staff in different circumstances and also during vacation period, there is lot of absenteeism. Retired staff should be engaged freely. Instructions should be issued by Ministry of Railways to utilize capable retired staff and enrich & update their knowledge.
xii) Para 93: Annual Plan & Five Year Plan for implementing various provisions of the Policy are required to be prepared.
M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane. 401 107. T.No. 022-28123691. M. 09821732855.
To Date. 3-6-2009.
Shri Gulam Nabi Azadji,
Hon. Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India,
Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi-110 011.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Welcome and a Call to eradicate Elder Abuse done by your Ministry.
We, the nine crore Senior Citizens of India are very happy to welcome you as our Health Minister. We wish you very bright success in your this very important assignment and hope that you shall raise the standard of health of all the citizens, including your Senior Citizens.
!5-6-2009 is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day declared by UNO. According to the INPEA, Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multisectoral & multidisciplinary approach.
Our Government had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 with clear directive in each of 98 paras of the Policy that provision made in each para will be done and no where words ``shall or may be done`` were used. Para 93 of the Policy clearly lays down that each Ministry will prepare Action Plan for the Year as well as for Five Year and fix Targets and Time Schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons. Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dt 27-6-08 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/ (A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to Ministry Of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons. Not implementing this Policy by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 10 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders in India in light of INPEA`s above definition! UNO has also started taking stock of implementation by various Governments of their directives given in their United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all Countries in Madrid in 2002.
As you are processing the Budget for 2008-09, we request you to provide liberally for implementation of various provisions of the Policy, 99 for your Senior Citizens and get them their benefits denied for last 10 years. Health Ministry is concerned with paras 33 to 47 of the Policy, 99 and each para has a far reaching effect on health of Senior Citizens.
You will be surprised to know that no action is taken by Health Ministry for last 10 years on this Policy, 99, as there were no funds available for Health Care of the Elderly in 9th & 10th Five Year Plans, as advised in letter no. F.No.T-21014/02/2008-NCD dt 3-3-08. We therefore request you to look in to this extreme Abuse of Elders seriously and take immediate steps at your level and provide early relief to ailing Elderly Citizens by seriously and sincerely considering each para.
Health Care Needs of Elderly are required to be given high priority, as health problems are associated with age and cost of Health Care is very high and beyond reach of Elders. Health Ministry has to provide free/concessional treatments by legislating and controlling public & private Hospitals/Dispensaries/Doctors/Medicine Producers etc. Charitable Trusts etc are to be encouraged by giving grants, tax concessions, land at subsidized rate etc for providing free/concessional treatment to Elders. Geriatric wards are absolutely necessary in all Hospitals. Special Training to treat Elders with respect and care is necessary. Guidance about diet etc to Elders and proper training to Care Givers is also required to be provided early. Health Education programmes involving mass Media is also to be arranged. Provision for mental health, Alzheimer diseases, hose pices etc is required to be made early. Health Insurance has also to be made affordable, permitting entry at any age with pre-existing diseases etc. A separate Fund to provide subsidies for insurance for all is required to be created as per Sastry Committee recommendations. Just like IRDA, a Regulatory Authority for Private Hospitals and Fixation of charges for each Medical Process, as suggested by Armed Forces Medical College, Pune are required to be created very early. Medicines have to be made cheaper by obtaining concessions from manufacturers and providing subsidies.
A line in reply will be very much appreciated.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely
(M.V.Ruparelia)
M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane. 401 107. T.No. 022-28123691. M. 09821732855.
To Date. 3-6-2009.
Shri Mukul Wasnikji,
Hon. Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment,
Government of India, Shastri Bhavan,
New Delhi-110 001.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Welcome and a Call to eradicate Elder Abuse done by various Ministries.
We, the nine crore Senior Citizens of India are very happy to welcome you as our Guardian Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment. We wish you very bright success in your this very important assignment and hope that you shall personally ensure that Senior Citizens lead their life as respected Citizens and their legitimate place of Elders in the Society is secured and all actions are taken to help them to live their last phase of life with Purpose, Dignity and Peace.
15-6-2009 is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day declared by UNO. According to the INPEA, Elder Abuse is a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship, where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be of various forms-physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, financial or simply reflect intentional or unintentional neglect. Elder Abuse is a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, loss of productivity, isolation & despair. Confronting & reducing Elder Abuse requires a multisectoral & multidisciplinary approach.
Our Government had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 with clear directive in each of 99 paras of the Policy that provision made in each para will be done and no where words ``shall or may be done`` were used. Para 93 of the Policy clearly lays down that each Ministry will prepare Action Plan for the Year as well as for Five Year and fix Targets and Time Schedules to take steps to ensure flow of all benefits to older persons. Even Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi vide his orders dt 27-6-08 vide his no. 2701/Senior Citizens/ (A)/2008 in Case no. C I C/MA/A/ 2008/00645 to Ministry Of Social Justice & Empowerment has taken note of non-implementation and given clear directive to outline the plan of action in a time bound manner for the larger benefit of older persons.
Not implementing this Policy by Central & State Governments and other stake holders even after 10 years is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders of India in light of INPEA`s above definition! UNO has also started taking stock of implementation by various Governments of their directives given in their United Nation International Plan of Action adopted by all Countries in Madrid in 2002.
Your Ministry is a Nodal Ministry to ensure that all provisions of the Policy are implemented promptly by all Stake Holders, as per targets and time bound schedule fixed by you as brought out above & ordered by Chief Information Commissioner, Delhi. The attitude at lower level to treat this Policy as only guiding principles has resulted in continuous Abuse of Elders for these 10 years. Even where instructions are to be issued to NGOs, Trade Unions, Trusts, Media etc as provided in the Policy, this is not being done on the plea that Nodal Ministry does not deal with these Stake Holders. Who else than Nodal Agency can issue detailed and proper instructions and get them implemented by monitoring? No Bureau of Older Persons and National Association of Older Persons (NAOP), as envisaged in the Policy are formed in 10 years, leading to present position! We hope that your dynamic leadership will change this attitude and the Policy got implemented in true spirit by you very early by coordinating and monitoring the progress more effectively. As Finance Minister is processing the Budget for 2008-09, we request you to ensure that all Ministries make sufficient provision for implementation of their portion of the Policy.
First and Foremost Abuse in our Country is Non-utilization of Senior Citizens!! A person retires from service at 60 compulsorily and has nothing to do. He rests and does not remain active, resulting in deteriorating health & connected problems! He abuses himself!! He develops inertia of doing nothing; he does not participate in any functions, does not go to any Associations, and develops inertia in many respects. Even after 10 years of formation of the Policy for their overall upliftment, you can find many Senior Citizens just sitting in groups on closed premises of Banks, Shops, Bus Stops etc, as they are not welcome in their houses. They have no respect in family or society! They just kill their time watching passing vehicles & women!! One third of Senior Citizens are Below Poverty Line and another one third little above but with lower income and thus two third is in fragile financial position as brought out in para 24 of the Policy. Just as employment guarantee is provided to rural population by enacting Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Bharat Nirman and Nine Flagship Schemes etc, Senior Citizens should be provided with social security and ample avenues of employment by passing suitable Act/ordinance and increasing retirement age etc. Even Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension is a meager amount of Rs 200 from Central Government for a Senior Citizen belonging to BPL Family of 5 persons, which is a mockery of human being. Even the procedure of classifying as BPL is very complicated and requires to be simplified. The amount of Pension and eligibility for being classified should be increased considerably, keeping in view the Country’s GDP and Average National Income etc and Abuse of poor elders reduced. Daily Care Centers-Multi Service Centers should be provided early by the Governments, Municipalities-Panchayats and Corporate Sectors for enabling Senior Citizens to stop their own Abuse and pass their time actively and usefully. This is the first and foremost Abuse by these agencies and as such we request our very capable Guardian Minister to give serious thought to this pitiable position and problem and create sufficient avenues for utilization of this large Think-Tank of the Country.
Another aspect of Elders` life requiring your personal chasing with other Ministers and States is Health problems of elderly for which detailed provisions are made in paras 33 to 47 in the Policy but nothing much is done by Health Ministry. You will be surprised to know that no action is taken by Health Ministry for last 10 years on this Policy, 99, as there were no funds available for Health Care of the Elderly in 9th & 10th Five Year Plans, as advised in letter no. F.No.T-21014/02/2008-NCD dt 3-3-08. Health Care Needs of Elderly are required to be given high priority, as health problems are associated with age and cost of Health Care is very high and beyond reach of Elders. Health Ministry has to provide free/concessional treatments by legislating and controlling public & private Hospitals/Dispensaries/Doctors/Medicine Producers etc. Charitable Trusts etc are to be encouraged by giving grants, tax concessions, land at subsidized rate etc for providing free/concessional treatment to Elders. Geriatric wards are absolutely necessary in all Hospitals. Special Training to treat Elders with respect and care is necessary. Guidance about diet etc to Elders and proper training to Care Givers is also required to be provided early. Health Education programmes involving mass Media is also to be arranged. Provision for mental health, Alzheimer diseases, hose pices etc is required to be made early. Health Insurance has also to be made affordable, permitting entry at any age with pre-existing diseases etc. A separate Fund to provide subsidies for insurance for all is required to be created as per Sastry Committee recommendations. Just like IRDA, a Regulatory Authority for Private Hospitals and Fixation of charges for each Medical Process, as suggested by Armed Forces Medical College, Pune are required to be created very early. Medicines have to be made cheaper by obtaining concessions from manufacturers and providing subsidies.
States are also not implementing the orders/directives of your Ministry and many have not even adopted State Policy and created State Councils etc. You may give special attention to this and draw special attention of Chief Ministers, giving them targets.
We request you to consider these aspects sympathetically and take prompt & proper action very early. A line in reply will be very much appreciated.
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