Letter to Minister of Social Justice- Framing priority areas for the first 100 days for “sushasan” or good governance as the cornerstone of NDA government.

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 Thaawar Chand Gehlotji, Hon Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment,

Government of India, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi-110 001.

Respected Sir, 

Sub: Framing priority areas for the first 100 days for “sushasan” or good governance as the cornerstone of NDA government.

12 crore Framing priority areas for the first 100 days for “sushasan” or good governance as the cornerstone of NDA government. Senior Citizens of the Country are very much pleased to welcome a Young Senior Citizen of 66 as their Nodal Minister. They hope that with your business tact, you will be able to get them all their overdue advantages and facilities declared by Government in 4 notified Policies for welfare of Senior Citizens (NPOP, 99; Maintenance Act, 2007; IPOP, 2008 and NPHCE, 2010). We request you to include the following in your Ministry`s 100 days priority areas and get them implemented within timeframe.

1.     The first and foremost need of the hour is to create respect for Elders in the Country by persuading all colleagues in the Cabinet and all States/UTs 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. There is lack of interest and enthusiasm in most of the Central and State/UT ministries to implement the declared policies and large number of provisions of these Policies have remained unimplemented, depriving 12 crore Senior Citizens of declared benefits. You have to bring out this to the notice of our beloved P.M. and consider ways and means to get a Machinery (on lines of SCOVA by Pension Ministry) established to have 4 meetings in a year for implementation of various provisions of declared Policies by getting one representative of at least Joint Secretary level (to be nominated by designation and not to be changed on the basis of `as available`) from each Central, State & UT ministries and sufficient members from recognized Associations of Senior Citizens for continuous discussion and chasing with an aim of early implementation of all Policies.

2.      Strengthening of Nodal Ministry is very much necessary by getting more pro-elderly officers and staff in view of grave situation of non-implementation of various declared policies for years together, giving no time or machinery to Elders for negotiations, no dissemination of any information to any registered associations of elders etc. As PM has desired proper utilization of State Ministers, you may like to entrust the work of this department to him for earlier implementation of welfare schemes.

3.      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. Not implementing various Policies by Central & State Governments and other stake holders is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders in India  in light of INPEA`s above definition! You may like to list out various provisions pending implementation with each of your officers, Central, State & UT ministries and get them implemented early by including this list of pending implementation in this Programme.

4.     A Review Committee for revising very comprehensive NPOP, 99 was nominated on 28-1-10 and their recommendations given on 30-3-11 are pending approval of Cabinet for more than 3 years!! This may be got finalized and new Policy declared before Budget by including this long pending item in 100 Day Programme.

5.     Revision of very important Scheme of Integrated Programme (IPOP) is pending for long. This may be got finalized by including in this Programme and issue elaborate instructions to concerned Central & State/UT ministries to get 16 schemes provided by Municipalities & Panchayats within a reasonable period fixing targets.

6.     Setting up of National Commission & National Trust for Aged are pending for long. Please, include them in this Programme.  

7.     Provide separate Web Site for Senior Citizens, as present web site is very complicated. This should be provided within 100 Day Programme.

8.     Quick action is required to be taken on severe criticism/deep concern of Standing Committee on working of Social Justice & Empowerment in 39^th Report  (February, 14). This may be included in this Programme.

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)