National Policy for Older Persons, 1999- Guidelines for Corporate Social Responsibility.

M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park,

 Mira Road (East) Dist. Thane. 401107. M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in

To                                                                         Date: 28-7-11.

Dr. M. Veerappa Moily,  Hon. Minster for Corporate Affairs,

Shastri Bhawan, Rajendra  Prasad Road, New Delhi-110001.

Respected Sir,

Sub: National Policy for Older Persons, 1999- Guidelines for Corporate Social Responsibility.

It is gratifying to note that Ministry of Corporate Affairs has notified comprehensive revised Guide Lines for Corporate Social Responsibility in this month of July, 2011, keeping in view the feed back received on earlier Guide Lines of 2009. Though due to some error in putting these Guidelines in Ministry`s Web Site, many pages are blank, it is observed that there are no specific guide lines to Corporate World for utilizing CSR Funds for Welfare of our most disadvantaged Elders. NPOP, 99 lays down that all endowments including Corporate World, Trusts, Charities, and Religious Organizations will be encouraged to extend their areas of concern to provide services to the Elderly by involving them on various ageing issues. Senior Citizens form almost 10% of the total population of the Country- 37% is Below Poverty Line and more than 33% belong to Lower Income Group and the financial position of these 70% is very fragile and needs help of Corporate World. This is all the more necessary, as various Central Ministries and most of the States including our Most Progressive State of Maharashtra have miserably failed to implement many of the provisions of National Policy of Older Persons, 1999 even after 12 YEARS! The entire Senior Citizen Community & their Organizations have declared 16<sup>th</sup> August, 11 as `Solidarity Day` for awakening Central & State Governments to look after their Elders. UNO is also watching the progress and forcing the Governments to implement the provisions of Madrid Declaration to which India is also a party.

Corporate World should be advised to use the major portion (if not, at least 10%) of their CSR Funds on their most neglected Elders, who without their fault but due to ageing and social environment face health and financial problems. The following aspects may be considered for utilization of CSR Funds by all concerned:-

i)                    Let Corporate World adopt needy Senior Citizens of an Area and help other Senior Citizens through C.S.R.: There are many Senior Citizens, who are facing financial problems and some are not able to meet two ends meet. Big Corporate Houses can adopt an area of their choice after surveying the number & need of such Senior Citizens. Such elders can be given their monthly requirements of food, clothes and very essential necessities. Their services can be utilized in some way, as possible. They should also look after their own retired employees and provide them proper facilities, as a welfare measure.

ii)                  They should create a Health Welfare Fund. Provide Convalescent Homes, Holiday Homes, Day Care Centres etc. Provide health care facilities in Vrudhashrams.

iii)                 They should provide opportunities for second careers and activity centres to keep them active. Provide Machinery to utilize and maintain their mental health by holding competitions by way of Essay writing, Quiz, Brain Storming Sessions etc at District, State & Centre level periodically on subjects of social & national interest to get views & guidance from Think-Tank of the Nation. Fix quota for their retired employees for nomination in their Advisory Committees.

iv)                They should create health awareness literature for preventive measures & healthy life style and make them easily available. 

v)                   All private hospitals given free land or special concessions by Govt must treat Senior Citizens free or at concessional rate and beds earmarked, in addition to quota fixed in the Trust Act.

vi)                Corporate sector, Trusts, Associations of Doctors,  Associations of Chemists etc should set apart certain funds for medical treatment of needy Senior Citizens and give medicines at concessional rates.  Adoption of certain number of needy Senior Citizens for periodical treatment, supply of medicines, necessary vitamins etc by such parties will go a long way to meet with health problems of needy Senior Citizens.

vii)              In CSR Guidelines pertaining to employees, every Corporate Body, Business House and if possible, every Employer should be advised to provide health facilities to all their surviving retired employees and their spouses on par with serving employees. They must raise the pension, where it is paid, on every revision of pay-scale of the post on which the employee had retired on the same principle, as envisaged by Supreme Court and accepted by Vth Pay Commission for Central & State Govt  Retired Employees. Where pension is not payable, ex-gratia pension, as paid to Govt Employees retired on SRPF, should be paid to all surviving retired employees/spouses. This will give immediate relief to large number of retired persons and it will not be a financial burden on Employers in the booming economy.

viii)            Corporate Houses, Big industrialists, Trusts, Municipality etc should provide Special Housing Colonies, Day Care Centres, Vrudhashram, Convalescent Home, Holiday Home etc in the locality of their working with active partnership in management of NGOs of the area.

We shall be thankful, if necessary action to advise all Public-Private Sector Corporate Houses and all those concerned with utilization of CSR Funds are advised suitably to provide help to Elders in various respects.

A line in reply in terms of para 66 of Office Manual will be very much appreciated.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

Group of Ministers (GOM) for eradicating Corruption from India. ( Reforming the BABUDOM in 100 DAY PROGRAMME of the Present GOVERNMENT).

M.V.Ruparelia, A503 RashmiUtsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane. 401 107.  M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in

To                                                                                      Date: 1-8-2011.

Shri Pranab Mukherjee,

Hon. Minister of Finance, Government of India,

North Block, New Delhi-110 011.

Respected Sir,

Sub: Group of Ministers (GOM) for eradicating Corruption from India. ( Reforming the BABUDOM in 100 DAY PROGRAMME of the Present GOVERNMENT).

It is heartening to note that You are heading the GOM for eradicating corruption from India and taking prompt & proper steps for the purpose like the latest move to reduce discretionary powers of some Ministries.

One of the major cause of corruption in our Country is non-attendance & non-reply to grievances/representations of citizens by Babudom inspite of clear provision of replying each grievance/representation within a given period, as laid down in para 66 of Office Manual (copy enclosed). Though Grievance Solving Machinery is provided in most of the Public Offices, the practice followed at all levels including Ministry of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances is just to forward to next lower level and forget about it! Citizen goes to any Higher Authority after not getting any reply or proper remedial action at lower level. Higher Authorities just forward to lower authority and do not insist on full report & do not examine the issue at all. There is no Respect or Fear for higher Authority at lower level, as was prevailing during Your & Mine time. The factual position was reported to President in my letter dt 7-9-09 (PRSEC/E/2009/06670 dt 8-9-09) and some suggestions were also sent under my letter dt 20-9-09 (PRSEC/E/2009/9181 dt 20-10-09). Instead of bothering you by repeating details, I enclose copies of both letters, which are not examined by Ministry of A.R. & P.G. in proper spirit. I and majority of citizens feel that unless this Machinery is made to work effectively and supported by some legal provisions to punish the defaulters, corruption can not be removed/reduced in our Country. I would urge you to get this discuss thoroughly in GOM and appropriate legal provisions made. This will go a long way to improve our Country`s Global Image also.

A line in reply in terms of para 66 of Office Manual 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. 401107. T.No. 022-28123691. M. 09821732855.

To                                                                                                     Date:  7-09-09.

Smt. Pratibhatai Patil,

The President Of India,

Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.

Respected Madamji,

Sub: Apply   Apply   No Reply- - - Reforming the BABUDOM in 100 DAY PROGRAMME of the Present GOVERNMENT.

In your Opening Address to both the Houses of Parliament, you have promised that

`` An area of major focus for my Government would be reform of governance for effective delivery of public services. Reports of the Administrative Reforms Commission would guide the effort. Reform of structures in the higher echelons of government, increased decentralization, inclusion of women and youth in governance, process reform and public accountability would be key areas for focused action. As part of process reform, all proposals to the Cabinet will have to report on how the proposal under consideration will enhance the goals of equity or inclusion, innovation and public accountability. `

Even after 61 years of Independence, We have not been able to create an Efficient Machinery to deal with Grievances/Representations of our Citizens! Government has included the Reforming of BABUDOM in their Current Agenda for effective deliverance of Public Service and Home Minister has started some steps in this direction for his Departments but unless all concerned take this seriously, this may remain on paper, as with many such announcements in the past. I may bring out the Present Factual Position to your Notice for initiating proper & prompt action.

Generally, Public Contact Telephones are not attended most of the time. Automatic phones asking to dial 1 for this, 2 for that etc go on telling that `Your phone is very important to us and will be attended shortly` and gets you to the concerned authority rarely. All Public Phones should have recording system and when no one is available, grievance should get recorded.

All communications through Post Offices are very much delayed and even speed post take 5-6 days to reach. Prompt disposal of grievances is desirable. Although instructions appear to have been issued, no government department is using E/Mail for replying Grievances/Applications-Appeals under RTI etc. Most of the Public Authorities do not give their phone no. and mobile no. in their correspondence with public. Many of the Public Authorities do not give their full postal address with pin etc. Many of the Central Ministries do not indicate pin in their correspondence. Strict & clear instructions are required to be issued for this.

Inspite of voluminous instructions to Public Authorities for redressal of Public Grievances in a time bound manner as an integral part of governance (the last Volume of such instructions being ``Policy Guidelines for Redress of P.G.`` by Ministry of A.R. & P.G. in 2007 and ``Centralized P.G. Redressal & Monitoring System-CPGRAMS-Empowering Citizens-Enabling Government`` by same Ministry in 2009), there are many Public Authorities, which neither acknowledge nor reply any representations/grievances received by them!! The CONCERNED Public Authorities have developed a tendency of not getting CONCERNED for the Public, as they are the final AUTHORITIES of the Country!! It is very few Public Authorities like BEST, Mumbai Mahanagar Palika, Mumbai Mayor Etc, which promptly & properly reply all representations/grievances. Such Public Authorities must be recognized & rewarded at your level, so that others may get encouraged to follow them. The present position of Public Grievances is as under as per information given by Ministry of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, the highest authority concerned with dealing of Public Grievances:-

Year:                     No. received.

2006                                              1,09,620

2007                                              1,01,995

2008                                              1,24,052

2009                                                 52,933

(up to 30-6-09)

There is no record to indicate as to how many of this large number are solved or atleast replied and how many are still pending. As Ministry of A.R.& P.G. is refusing to chase or issue reminders for getting replies to such grievances reported to them, where is monitoring or solving grievances of citizens? This casual approach of only registering the grievance and carelessness of refusing to chase must be curbed and proper procedure to chase at appropriate levels till the matter gets finalized must be enforced!

As I did not get any reply from the Ministry of P.G. or any local or central Public Authorities to whom these grievances were forwarded by P.G. Cell for the following 4 grievances of citizens of our area for 2 years recorded in the portal http://pgportal.gov.in, I requested for position under RTI Act from the Ministry, replies of which indicate the factual position of helpless citizens in respect of dealing with their genuine and real grievances!!

i)                    DAPRG/E/2007/07477 dt 25-10-07 for non-provision of 3-4 lights in a big Public Garden provided by MHADA-Maharashtra Housing And Area Development Authority open from 5-30 in the morning to 10 in the night for children, ladies and all citizens, as our efforts at local level from 1-11-05 did not bring any result.

ii)                   DARPG/E/2007/07480 dt 25-10-07 for RTO, Thane not taking any action to get rickshaws run on meter in Mira-Bhayander Area of most developed city of Mumbai!

iii)                 DEPOJ/E/2008/00048 dt 1-5-08 for Department of Justice under Ministry of Law & Justice not giving the copies of required instructions about preference being given to court cases of senior citizens nor giving any reply inspite of repeated reminders and request from Ministry of             S.J. & E. and CIC, Delhi.

iv)                         DOPAT/E/2008/00034 dt 22-5-08 for Chief Information Commissioner, the highest authority of the Country to get information to the citizens, not giving any acknowledgement/registration no. to IInd Appeals/Complaints sent to him nor intimating reasons for rejecting any appeals/complaints.

Reply received under no. H-18011/80/2009 PG(RTI)dt 10-7-09 gives the following position:-

i)                    There is no Grievance Cell in this Ministry of P.G. and it is only a Policy Formulating Department and has no mandate to examine or redress any grievances, though it has to closely monitor the redressal of grievances!!

ii)                   Maximum time limit for redressal is 60 days.

iii)                 For my first 2 grievances, these were forwarded to Maharashtra Government on 29-10-07 and other 2 were directly lodged with those departments and this Ministry has no details thereof.

iv)                 I was advised to lodge my grievances with Mumbai Municipal Corporation, though none of the two pertained to Municipal Corporation.

As this did not give the required information, I requested to give proper information for which the reply was received vide their letter no. H-18011/80/2009PG (RTI) dt 30-7-09, which indicates the following:-

i)                    Monitoring by this Department is prescribed for Central Ministries only and there also this Department monitors only some selected grievances only!

ii)                   This Department received 12995 grievances in 2007; 49247 in 2008 and 39022 in 2009 up to June, 09 but no position is available for how many solved/replied.

iii)                 There is no Monitoring Cell under the System and all my grievances pertain to local municipality and I have a tendency to collect matters that are to be settled by 4-5 different authorities. This confuses the issue and does not convey what the person is actually asking for. This way of reply clearly indicates the whims, pride and prejudice of the highly paid OFFICER, who goes on giving such irresponsible casual reply even after repeatedly told that these do not pertain to Municipality and all the 4 are recorded separately!!

iv)                 No reminders are issued nor required to be issued to either Municipality in Mumbai or to Central Ministries for your grievances, as this Ministry has no quasi-judicial power (even) to monitor!!

It would be observed from above factual position as to how Public Grievances are dealt with and self frustrations, whims, pride, prejudice towards citizens are reflected in replies even at the level of Under Secretary of such a P.G. Machinery! This highest Machinery is stated to be neither Grievance Cell nor Monitoring Cell but is to be considered as POST OFFICE!!

Similar position exists at highest local level also! Many of the local Public Authorities do not give any reply to any representations even after several reminders! Shri Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra on taking over as CM announced that citizens can directly approach him for grievances and gave his personal E/Mail address, stating that he would personally ensure that grievances are solved within 8-10 days by departments. I sent him 4 grievances of citizens of our area to his E/Mail as well as letter dt 31-12-08. No action/reply is given by him or any one for these 4 grievances inspite of several reminders to CM., though 9 months have passed instead of 8-10 days, as promised. Last general reply received from his Secretiate under no. mumansa/09/6/708 dt 15-7-09 received on 14-8-09 advises in clear words that this Secretiate is only a POST OFFICE and its working is limited to forwarding representation to concerned department and it is for citizen to pursue with the concerned departments!

As this is the factual position at the level of Chief Minister & Highest Grievance Ministry at Centre, you may like to get the whole issue of solving P.G. examined seriously and sincerely at appropriate level for fulfilling your promise in your Opening Address of reforming this BABUDOM. Second Administrative Reforms Commission in its 12 th Report had given clear recommendations for a legislation on lines of RTI but these were rejected by Government, as it may result in turf war between the executive & judiciary,  as advised by Ministry of ARPG in their above letter. As per Media Report before few months, The Parliamentary Standing Committee had recommended to set up an Effective Public Grievance Redressal Mechanism in every office on lines of RTI Act. The Mechanism should be accessible, simple, quick, fair, responsive and effective and should be set within 30 days. More than 6 months have passed to this Press Report but nothing is visible. You may like to get this expedited.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

M.V.Ruparelia, A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road(East) Dist. Thane. 401107. T.No. 022-28123691. M. 09821732855.

To                                                                                                     Date:  20-10-09.

Smt. Pratibhatai Patil,

The President Of India,

Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi-110101.

Respected Madamji,

Sub: Apply   Apply   No Reply- - - Reforming the BABUDOM in 100 DAY PROGRAMME of the Present GOVERNMENT.

Ref: My Letter dt 7-9-09. Web Site Registration No. PRSEC/E/2009/06670.

In continuation of my letter dt 7-9-09, the following suggestions are made for immediate implementation to give some quick relief to Citizens, pending detailed analysis of the Problem of not dealing with grievances of Citizens by experts and laying down effective procedure.

1. All letters/Applications/Representations received from Citizens via E/Mail by any Public Authority should be automatically acknowledged by machine on receipt, as it is observed that no action is taken on matters received through E/Mail. This will not require any budgeting or complicated procedure.
2. Reply by E/Mail of matters received by E/Mail must be made compulsory, as most of Public Authorities do not use internet for replies, though crores of rupees are spent by Government for computers for expeditious disposal of all matters.
3. Each Public Authority must provide ``Query`` or ``Information Centre`` in their Web Sites for giving replies to all queries/information asked by Citizens. Each Public Authority should provide Grievance Portal also with Status position.
4. Independent machine number acknowledgements for each letter/representation/Application by Centralized Receipt Section for each receipt by post/speed post/personal delivery should be introduced indicating the name of Department/Section/Officer to whom that letter is sent.
5. Each Letter-Head of Public Authority should contain full postal address with Pin, E/Mail Address of the Department, Section and of dealing officer, Telephone & Mobile number of Dept/Section/Dealing officer for easy identification & quick communication. Most of the Central Ministries do not give address and Pin Code, leave apart phone & E/Mail address.
6. All Public Authority Phones should be provided with Recording Machines to enable the Citizen to get his complaint recorded when no one attends the phone. A devise to record only names, time and date of all calls on such Public Phones even when some one receives the phone may also help Citizens, as any talk/reminder on phone is generally denied by the receiver.

Kindly consider the above suggestions for immediate implementation, which do not require additional funds etc and if introduced will give some relief to Citizens facing high-handedness of BABUDOM giving stock reply that Representation/Letter/Application are not received.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

(M.V.Ruparelia)

Extracts of para 66 of the Manual of Office Procedure.

 

66. Prompt response to letters received-

(1) Each communication received from the Member of Parliament, a member of public, a recognized Association  or a Public Body will be acknowledged within 15 days, followed by a reply within 15 days of acknowledge sent.

(2) Where (i) delay is anticipated in sending final reply or (ii) information has to be obtained from another Ministry or another office, an interim reply will be sent within a month (from date of receipt) indicating the possible date by which a final reply can be given.

(3) If any such communication is wrongly addressed to a department, it will be transferred promptly (within a week) to appropriate department under intimation to the party concerned.

(4) Where the request of a member of Public can not be acceded to for any reason, reasons for not acceding to such a request should be given.

(5) As far as possible, requests from members of Public, should be looked at from the user’s point of view and not solely from the point of view of what may be administratively convenient.

Corporate Social Responsibility & Senior Citizens.

Corporate Social Responsibility & Senior Citizens.                        M.V.Ruparelia.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs has notified more comprehensive revised Guide Lines for Corporate Social Responsibility in this month of July, 2011, keeping in view the feed back received on earlier Guide Lines of 2009. There are many aspects of CSR but we will see only one aspect of Activities for Social and Inclusive Development:

``Depending upon their core competency and business interest, companies should undertake activities for economic and social development of communities and geographical areas, particularly in the vicinity of their operations. These could include: education, skill building for livelihood of people, health, cultural and social welfare etc., particularly targeting at disadvantaged sections of society.``

 In 2009, the Government had made it mandatory for all Public Sector Oil Companies to spend 2% of their net profits on CSR. All Public Sector Undertakings were required to spend 2 to 5% of their net profits. For Private Sector, guidelines were laid down that companies with net profit of less than US$ 22.5 million will earmark 3-5 per cent of profit for CSR, companies with net profit of between US$ 22.5 million - US$ 112.5 million, will utilize 2-3 per cent for CSR activities and companies with net profit of over US$ 112.5 million will spend 0.5-2 per cent of net profits for CSR.

As per Times Survey, 2008, lack of understanding, inadequately trained personnel, non availability of authentic data and specific information on the kinds of CSR activities, coverage, policy etc. were the factors affecting the CSR programmes. The organizations surveyed felt that NGOs ought to be more involved in project implementation, providing voluntary support to corporate agencies, monitoring and regulation.

Senior Citizens form almost 10% of the total population of the Country- 37% is Below Poverty Line and more than 33% belong to Lower Income Group and the financial position of these 70% is very fragile and needs help of Corporate World. This is all the more necessary, as most of the States including our Most Progressive State of Maharashtra have miserably failed to implement the National Policy of Older Persons, 1999 even after 12 YEARS! The entire Senior Citizen Community & their Organizations have declared 16^th August, 11 as `Solidarity Day` for awakening State & Central Government to look after their Elders. UNO is also watching the progress and forcing the Governments to implement the provisions of Madrid Declaration to which India is also a party.

Corporate World should use the major portion (if not, at least 10%) of their CSR Funds on their most neglected Elders, who without their fault but due to ageing and social environment face health and financial problems. All NGOs working for Senior Citizens must highlight the plight of Elders of their area to Public & Private Sector Undertakings, Corporate Houses, Big Businessmen including Shopping Malls, Hospitals, Trusts etc in respect of various matters. 

The following aspects may be considered for utilization of CSR Funds by all concerned:-

i)                    Let Corporate World adopt needy Senior Citizens of an Area and help other Senior Citizens through C.S.R.: There are many Senior Citizens, who are facing financial problems and some are not able to meet two ends meet. Big Corporate Houses can adopt an area of their choice after surveying the number & need of such Senior Citizens. Such elders can be given their monthly requirements of food, clothes and very essential necessities. Their services can be utilized in some way, as possible. They should also look after their own retired employees and provide them proper facilities, as a welfare measure.

ii)                  They should create a Health Welfare Fund. Provide Convalescent Homes, Holiday Homes, Day Care Centres etc. Provide health care facilities in Vrudhashrams.

iii)                 They should provide opportunities for second careersand activity centres to keep them active. Provide Machinery to utilize and maintain their mental health by holding competitions by way of Essay writing, Quiz, Brain Storming Sessions etc at District, State & Centre level periodically on subjects of social & national interest to get views & guidance from Think-Tank of the Nation. Fix quota for them for nomination in their Advisory Committees.

iv)                They should create health awareness literature for preventive measures & healthy life style and make them easily available. 

v)                   All private hospitals given free land or special concessions by Govt must treat Senior Citizens free or at concessional rate and beds earmarked, in addition to quota fixed in the Trust Act.

vi)                Corporate sector, trusts, Associations  of Doctors, Associations of Chemists etc should set apart certain funds for medical treatment of needy Senior Citizens and give medicines at concessional rates.  Adoption of certain number of needy Senior Citizens for periodical treatment, supply of medicines, necessary vitamins etc by such parties will go a long way to meet with health problems of needy Senior Citizens.

vii)              Every Corporate Body, Business House and if possible, every Employer should  provide health facilities to all their surviving retired employees and their spouses on par with serving employees. They must raise the pension, where it is paid, on every revision of pay-scale of the post on which the employee had retired on the same principle, as envisaged by Supreme Court and accepted by Vth Pay Commission for Central & State Govt Retired Employees. Where pension is not payable, ex-gratia pension, as paid to Govt Employees retired on SRPF, should be paid to all surviving retired employees/spouses. This will give immediate relief to large number of retired persons and it will not be a financial burden on Employers in the booming economy.

viii)            NGOs working for Elders must meet all Corporate Houses, Private & Public Sector Organizations, other big businessmen in Malls, Big Bazaars, Big Shops of their areas to get needy deserving Sr Citizens (even though not below poverty line but having limited resources) adopted on long term basis for free or concessional rate their monthly requirement of groceries.

ix)                Corporate Houses, Big industrialists, Trusts, Municipality etc should  provide  Day Care Centres, Vrudhashram, Convalescent Home, Holiday Home etc in the locality of their working with active partnership in management of NGOs of the area.

World Elder Abuse Day-Letter to Chief Minister of Maharashtra to stop Abuse of Senior Citizens of Maharashtra.

M.V.Ruparelia, A503 RashmiUtsav, Near Jangid Estate & Vijay Park, Mira Road (East), Dist. Thane.401 107. M. 09821732855. E/Mail: mvrup@yahoo.co.in

To                                                                                                               Date. 14-6-11.

Shri Prithviraj Chavan,

Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra, Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032.

Respected Sir,

Sub: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day-15-6-11.

1.      Our Culture respects our Elders and Our Governments at Centre & State/UTs level are led by Elderly Statesmen like Sincere & Honest Shri Manmohan Singh and many others young, honest & energetic like you. Senior Citizens of our State have high hopes from You and they expect that You will look after their interest & welfare.

2.       !5-6-2011 is the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) declared by United Nations.  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 and 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 multispectral & multidisciplinary approach.

3.     Government of India had declared a comprehensive National Policy of Older Persons in 1999 for welfare of Senior Citizens and States/UTs were expected to take immediate action on various provisions. You will be surprised to know that Our Most Progressive, Prosperous & Highest Tax Collector State has not adopted, accepted and notified the State Policy even after 12 FULL YEARS. This is nothing but Deplorable Abuse of Elders of Maharashtra 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. The well-being of senior citizens is also mandated in the Constitution of India under Article 41. On this August Day, we request You to get the notification of State Policy expedited.

4.      Even in absence of notification of State Policy, the following actions can be taken by the State Government for welfare of their Elders:-

(i)                Celebrating International Day of Older Persons (IDOP):  It is observed that this Day is neither observed by State nor by Panchayati Raj & Municipal Bodies in Maharashtra inspite of repeated instructions from Nodal Ministry every year. It has been advised by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, New Delhi in reply to my recent Application under RTI that this year also, they had issued instructions under their directive under no. 15-39 (12)/09-10/AGII dt 3-9-10 that these programmes should be organized with active involvement of Sr citizens, Panchayati Raj & Municipal Bodies etc. On enquiries from BMC & MBMC, it is given to understand that they are having no specific instructions from your side.  Kindly issue proper detailed instructions to all concerned including all your departments and local bodies to celebrate this International Day to respect Elders of Maharashtra without waiting for notification of State Policy and instructions may be repeated every year sufficiently in advance. Similar instructions for celebrating ``World Awareness Day of Abuse of Older Persons`` on 15^th June may also be issued. These celebrations will create proper atmosphere of Respect for Elders in the Society.

(ii)             Vayoshestha Sanmans:  Nodal Ministry has given a list of 10 Sanmans given by them every year, which they give in celebration of IDOP. Our State should also give similar Sanmans at State/District/Panchayat-Municipal levels.

(iii)           Integrated Programmes for Older Persons (IPOP)- Revised Scheme effective from 1-4-2008: Nodal Ministry has advised that as against National Allocation  to Maharashtra for this purpose in year 2008-09 of Rs 150 lakhs, only Rs 49.92 and against NA for 2009-10 of Rs 75 lakhs, only Rs 47.07 were released as per State Demand.  Para 6 of the Revised Scheme has made Panchayati Raj Institutions & Local Bodies as main implementing Agencies. No instructions having been issued to these agencies, BMC & MBMT are refusing to take action and insist on State Instructions. Kindly make out a time bound programme for each Panchayat & Municipal Units to provide these schemes in each ward within a year or two, as 90% of recurring & non-recurring expenditure will be borne by Ministry of Social Justice, Delhi. Planning Commission has been requested to provide sufficient funds for these very useful schemes.

(iv)           Involve Panchayati Raj Institutions & Municipalities For Welfare of Senior Citizens: Panchayati Raj Institutions (and Local Bodies) are to be encouraged to initiate & participate in all schemes of Welfare of Elders, address local level issues & needs of the ageing population and implement programmes for them. They will provide Forums for discussing concerns of Older Persons & Activities that need to be taken. Such Forums will be encouraged at Panchayat, Municipal, Block & District level. They will have adequate representation of older women. Panchayat will mobilize the talents & skills of older persons & draw up plans for utilizing these at local level. Kindly issue necessary instructions to all Local Bodies and monitor the progress, as this will lead to real welfare of Elders of Maharashtra.

(v)             Instructions to our Media, Trusts, Charitable Hospitals/State & Municipal Hospitals , NGOs , Civic Authorities etc:  Kindly issue necessary instructions to all Stake Holders in Maharashtra for looking after the welfare of Elders, so that they start doing their work, which may lead to our Elders leading dignified life during their last spell of life. Arrangements may please be made to obtain details of all Registered Associations/Organizations working for senior Citizens, if necessary, from Charity Commissioner or as available in Karmayog & other Web Sites or by inviting information from organizations and issue instructions to all Departments to endorse copy of all circulars/instructions affecting elders to Federations/State level Organizations. Similar  to all Departments to endorse copy of all circulars/instructions affecting elders to Federations/State level Organizations. Similar list should be available with each Panchayat/ Municipality & each Ward Officer for their jurisdiction. State & Local Bodies should call for Meetings, Seminars etc for inter action with elders periodically.

Just as Director (Ageing) is working as Nodal Officer in Ministry of S.J. & E. at Centre, a Nodal Officer at State level may be nominated to deal with all representations/matters pertaining to Senior Citizens.

(vi)           Annual Report of work done in the State for its Elders: At present any good work done for Elders by State is not known to large number of Senior Citizens. An annual report for all work done for Elders in the State should be prepared and brought out in Media on every International Day for Older Persons. This will not only monitor various actions by all authorities but boost morale of Elders of Maharashtra.

(All these vi items were represented to Principal Secretary vide my letter dt 30-12-10 followed by reminders but no action is taken even after 5 months!).

(vii)          Transport Concessions to Senior Citizens:   As per Memorandum issued by Home Department under no. kra.STC-1998/667/pra.ka.36/pari.1 dt 25-10-2000, 50% concession in fares for travelling in MSRTC buses is given to all Senior Citizens of 65 years and above. It is experienced by Senior Citizens of Maharashtra as well as other States coming to Maharashtra that Conductors insist on production of Identity Card issued by State of Maharashtra and do not accept other Identity Cards issued by other States or Central Government Departments, PAN cards, Passports etc. Any photo-identity card issued by any Public Authority including local authorities should be sufficient to get this concession. We shall be grateful, if proper instructions with liberal provisions are got issued very early. We would also request you to consider earmarking of more seats in ST buses for Senior Citizens, as recently done by BEST and to give free or 90% concession to female Senior Citizens, especially widows and above 80 years.  Present age limit of 65 for this concession may also be reduced to 60, as accepted by Finance Ministry for Tax Exemption from 1-4-11, as all Senior Citizens deserve similar treatment in view of less income after retirement.  General Managers of Local Suburban Railway trains should be approached by State and made to realize the need for separate coach for Senior Citizens, as they are more handicapped than medically certified handicaps and Ladies. Some seats in First Class Coaches should be got reserved.

(viii)      Medical Treatment in Municipal Hospitals in Mumbai:  As per State GR no. 2006/navi-20 dt 12-12-06, free treatment is to be given to all Senior Citizens in all Municipal Hospitals. All Hospitals, except 3 major Hospitals of Nair, KEM & Sion have given in writing that they are giving free treatment to all Senior Citizens. These 3 major Hospitals are defying the State Orders for last 5 years and do not give free treatment to Senior Citizens. You may kindly use your good offices and help your Elders.

(ix)           Free Movement of Rickshaws in entire MMRDA Area:  As per Notification in Extraordinary State Gazette dt 25-2-08, all Rickshaws & taxies were allowed to ply in entire MMRDA area but these orders are not yet implemented even after 3 years for rickshaws, resulting in Senior Citizens and all citizens have to walk with luggage/heavy school bags at all check nakas for change over from one side Rickshaws to other side Rickshaws. In Mira Road- Bhayander Area, Rickshaws are not running on meters and they charge exorbitant rates for even short distance e.g. from Checknaka to Shrusti area- distance of less than 1.6 km, Rs 40 is charged. Kindly, use your good offices and get these genuine grievances solved.

(x)              Maintenance & Welfare of parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2010:  In the recently notified Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act in extraordinary Gazette dt 23-6-10, important provisions of the Central Act, 2007 in respect of Medical Support for Senior Citizens (Section 20) and Transfer of property to be void in certain circumstances (Section 23) are omitted. These are very important provisions for Senior Citizens and may kindly be got added.

(xi)           Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension:  Out of more than 9 lakh Senior Citizens in Maharashtra, there are 3.33 lakhs BPL Senior Citizens but beneficiaries for Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension, Shravan bal Seva Rajya Nivruti Vetan Yojna: and Rashtriya Bima Yojna are very much less, especially in Urban Areas, due to proper action not being taken by Revenue Department to classify them as BPL or registering them under Sravanbal Yojna. Kindly get some instructions issued to Tehsildars, Municipal Authorities etc and concerned officers to get this done early and properly.(Items vii to xi were represented to Home Minister by name under my letter dt 22-8-10 followed by several reminders but no action is taken even after 9 months!).

(xii)         Web Site for Senior Citizens: There is a necessity of separate Web Site for Senior Citizens of Maharashtra, as present State Web Site is cumbersome and difficult to get information easily.

We request you earnestly to consider these aspects sympathetically and take prompt & proper action very early.

 A line in reply in terms of para 66 of Office Manual will be very much appreciated.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely

(M.V.Ruparelia)

Copy forwarded to:-

1.      Shri R.R.Patil, Minister of Home Affairs, Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032.

2.      Shri Shivaji Rao  Moghe, Minister of Social Justice, Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032.

3.      Shri Sunil Tatkare, Minister of Finance, Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032.

4.      Shri Sachin Mohan Ahir, State Minister of Social Justice, Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032.