Special Officer In Every District For Elderly Care: Minister
Laxman Kumar was speaking at the state-level event to mark the International Day of Older Persons at Ravindra Bharathi, along with BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar.
HYDERABAD: The state government will designate a special officer in every district to deal with grievances of senior citizens, while old-age homes will be set up in phases across all 33 districts, social welfare minister Adluri Laxman Kumar said on Thursday. He said 15.60 lakh elderly persons were receiving a monthly Aasara pension of `2,016 and cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh was available under Rajiv Aarogyasri.
Laxman Kumar was speaking at the state-level event to mark the International Day of Older Persons at Ravindra Bharathi, along with BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar. The proposed district officers will monitor welfare programmes and protection of the rights of senior citizens among other services.
Thirty day-care centres provide free nutritious food, medical assistance and recreational facilities. Ten old-age homes are operational, and the government has proposed training 1,700 people in geriatric caregiving.
The minister said procedures before maintenance tribunals had been simplified. Of 2,505 maintenance cases filed during the previous year, 1,346 were disposed of. Appellate tribunals disposed of 234 of 409 appeals. Authorities also disposed of 135 of 209 cases seeking restoration of property transferred by parents who were later neglected.
Senior citizens can contact the toll-free 14567 Elder Line for help during emergencies, harassment, neglect, loneliness or when they need shelter.
Representatives of senior citizens’ organisations sought a separate welfare corporation, free bus travel, special identity cards, better healthcare and stronger financial and social security. The Ministers also felicitated people who had worked for the welfare of senior citizens.
