Let Us Resolve.

Let Us Resolve.                                     M.V.Ruparelia.

It is not correct to say that the Government has not done much for Senior Citizens. It has done a lot; what is lacking is implementation.

For information of our Senior Citizens, it may be stated that the Government has laid down the following Policies, Acts, and Schemes for Senior Citizens:-

·         National Policy on Older Persons, 1999

·         Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act, 2007

·         An Integrated Programme for Older Persons (Plan Scheme)

·         Reverse Mortgage Scheme

·         Reverse Mortgage Loan enabled Annuity (RMLeA), 2009.

·         Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna.

·         Facilities to Pensioners by Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances.

·         National Programme for Health  Care Of Elderly: Ministry of Health & F.W.

·         Corporate Social Responsibility.  Funds under this Scheme can be requested by our Associations for Welfare of Senior Citizens.

    

In spite of such marvelous and beneficial Policies, Acts and Schemes announced by the Government, if the position of Senior Citizens has not improved much, it is mainly for two reasons:

·            The Nodal Ministry has not been able to get many provisions of these policies implemented by other Ministries,  States/UTs/Stake Holders and

·            It has miserably failed in creating awareness about these policies amongst the beneficiary Senior Citizens and various Stake Holders.

In spite of clear directives in the Policy for implementation, keeping the issues of Senior Citizens in constant Public focus and continuous dialogue & communication with Associations of Senior Citizens, the Nodal Ministry has been viewing the Policy as Guidelines and not as requiring total implementation. It did not make each Stake Holder responsible for implementation by preparing Five Year and Annual Action Plans, as laid down in the Policy; instead, it has been spoon-feeding other Ministries by calling Inter Ministerial Meetings for discussions on some topics and not on specific paras of the Policy. Such meetings are also not held or attended regularly and seriously, resulting in non-implementation even after 13 years.

Looking to the deplorable position of pending issues of Elders, it is absolutely necessary to:

·         Provide an independent Director, Joint Secretary and Secretary not only at Centre but also at State/UT Level.

·         Set up National/State Commissions for Senior Citizens for ensuring that there are no violations of Rights of Senior Citizens.

·         Set up a separate Negotiating Machinery like JCM/SCOVA by recognizing existing registered Federations of Senior Citizens.

·         Put up Web Site for Senior Citizens with Grievance Solving Machinery.

·         Extend monthly financial help for office and other expenses, as given by Pension Ministry to Pensioners Associations.

·         Constantly advertise in Newspapers & TV etc, as done by Ministry of Personnel for RTI Act to keep various features of NPOP & MWPSC Act, 2007, Integrated Programme etc in public focus and for awareness of Senior Citizens, as laid down in Policy, 99.

In the Ministry`s Citizen Charter, provision should be made to reply all representations from individuals & registered Associations of Senior Citizens within the prescribed time.

We, senior citizens, are equally to be blamed for not having done our bit to get the implementation. On our part, we are also responsible for non-implementation of all these Policies, as we do not write, represent, and agitate for their implementation. We have also failed to implement our part of action laid down in Policy, 99. Our Associations are expected to organize various services like Day Care Centres, friendly home visits to older ailing persons, escort them to hospitals, shopping complexes & other places, satisfy their needs for social interaction, recreation & other activities; organize sensitivity programmes on ageing issues, help them to overcome loneliness, use our professional knowledge, expertise and contacts for needy senior citizens, create awareness about various measures and policies of the government etc. Barring a very few, like Chandigarh Senior Citizens’ Association, this is not being done.

The General Assembly of the United Nations has designated October 1st as International Day of Older Persons. This Day was observed for the first time throughout the world on October 1st, 1991. The theme this year is: "Longevity: Shaping the Future". By keeping busy, we can increase our longevity. Let us resolve on this auspicious occasion to do our duty and work for early implementation of policies by constant representations, negotiations and agitation from all parts of the Country to persuade Municipal authorities, State/UT & concerned Central Ministries, which will shape our future.