M.V.Ruparelia, Senior Citizen of 81,
Chief Patron, All India Senior Citizens Confederation (AISCCON). A503 Rashmi
Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (E). District Thane,
Maharashtra. 401 107. M.09821732855.
E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in
To
Date: 1-6-14.
Shri Arun
Jaitleyji, Hon Minister of Finance,
Ministry of
Finance, Government of India, North
Block, New Delhi-110101.
Respected
Sir,
Sub: Framing priority areas for the first 100 days for
“sushasan” or good governance as the cornerstone of NDA government.
12 crore Senior Citizens of the
Country are very much pleased to welcome a Young Senior Citizen of 62 as their
Most Important Minister of Finance. Your profession being Senior Advocate of
Supreme Court, they would request you to become their Advocate in the Court of
Prime Minister for getting them their overdue advantages and facilities
provided by Government in 4 declared Policies for welfare of Senior Citizens
(NPOP, 99; Maintenance Act, 2007; IPOP, 2008 and NPHCE, 2010), as they have not
been given any Negotiating Machinery nor they have strong and persuasive Union/Association
to effectively get their dues. We request you to include the following in your
Ministry`s 100 days priority areas and get them implemented within timeframe.
1.
As you may be aware
National Policy for Older Persons, 99 was given to Elders by the then NDA
Government but many provisions thereof are not yet implemented even after 15
years for want of funds. As per Mandate and Policy
Statement & paras 24 to 32, 36 and 93, your Ministry was required to take effective steps to improve the quality of life of
all Elders, strengthen their legitimate place in society and help them to live
their last spell of life with purpose, dignity and peace. Timely Implementation of
Policies is one of the 10 Mantras given by our beloved PM. BJP Election
Manifesto had also committed
to the welfare of senior citizens. Following
specific provisions pertaining to Finance Ministry are not implemented even
after all these 15 years and may now be included in 100 Day Priority Areas:-
a)
Para
24: To provide financial
security to fragile section of two third of the old population in addition to
BPL.
b)
Para
25: To revise rate of monthly pension to BPL at intervals so that inflation
does not deflate its real purchasing power. Present contribution of Central
Government for Pension at Rs 200 p.m. is a mockery of human beings!
c)
Para
28: Increasing standard deduction of Income Tax for Senior Citizens, keeping in
view high cost of medical & nursing care, transportation & support
services needed at home and the fact that they do not use common services etc
provided by government. All senior citizens may be exempted from Income Tax or higher
limit fixed for them or at least Pension may be made tax free. Families
supporting elders were to be given some concession, which is also not done.
d)
Para
29: Higher rates of interest on savings of senior citizens to assure them that
payment at the end of stipulated periods are attractive enough to take care of
likely erosion in purchasing power. State Bank of India pays ¼% extra, which is
nothing but mockery of Elders. Ministry must fix proper higher rates and get
all Banks pay them.
e)
Para
31: To provide income generating activities and to end age related
discrimination in matter of credit marketing and other facilities. BJP
Manifesto also had promised to devise schemes and
programs to engage the senior citizens as volunteers / part time workers in
various development programmes of the government, in urban and rural areas.
This will not only help in utilizing their time, but also it would be an
effective utilization of their experience and may add an additional source of
income for them.
f)
Para
36: The development of Health Insurance will be given high priority and various
reliefs and concessions will be given to make it affordable. IRDA under their
letter no. 3/IRDA/Health/SN/SRCC/09-10 dt 25-5-09 to Finance Ministry had
recommended to give subsidy of Rs 2000 or any amount that may be fixed by
Finance Ministry for every policy taken by Senior Citizen, relating the level
of subsidy being afforded to the Below Poverty Line population etc. This may
please be done early.
g)
Para
63: Welfare Fund for older persons is not yet created.
h)
Para
93: Finance Ministry will facilitate budgetary provisions required for
implementation of the Policy, 99. Ministry appears to treat Respected Elders as
``spent force`` and has adopted negative and discouraging attitudes.
2.
Although,
VII th Pay Commission is constituted, it is necessary to give relief to
pensioners by merging 50% DA with Pension and giving some interim relief to
meet with abnormal inflation.
3.
As Budget is very important document and
whole Nation listens Budget Speeches, we request you to lay down a procedure
that Finance Minister speaks something in his every Budget Speech about Senior Citizens bringing
out the position of senior citizens prevailing in the Country during the year
and provisions made for them during the year. This healthy practice will create
an atmosphere in the entire Country- Society and Media also- to respect their
Elders.
We shall be thankful, if these issues are included in 100
Days Programme and reply is given in terms of para 66 of Office Manual,
indicating your plan of action.
Thanking You,
Yours Sincerely,
(M.V.Ruparelia)
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