Kumar Bahukhandi
Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai’s government in Chhattisgarh is working with the commitment of health, safety and welfare of senior citizens. The government has taken many beneficial decisions towards the socio-economic development of senior citizens, which include many important works including their maintenance, arrangement of old age homes for residence, arrangement of health facilities for them, protection of property. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act is being effectively implemented in the state.
Maintenance Tribunals have been constituted in all subdivisions under the chairmanship of the Sub-Divisional Officer to resolve the problems of senior citizens. Under the appellate rules related to the Tribunal, Tribunals have also been constituted at the district level under the chairmanship of the District Collector. Easy system of application is also effective for resolving the problems of senior citizens and providing them the benefit of maintenance. 35 old age homes are also being run in 26 districts of the state to provide free food, shelter, care, recreational facilities etc. to the elders aged of 60 years or above.
About one thousand senior citizens are benefiting from this scheme. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is taking care of senior citizens with full sensitivity. A scheme for operating palliative care homes has also been started to provide proper care and health facilities to senior citizens of 60 years or above who are forced to remain in bed due to serious diseases due to old age. Under this, care homes are being operated in 6 districts Raipur, Durg, Kabirdham, Raigarh, Balod and Bemetara, where senior citizens are being taken complete care of.
Chhattisgarh government is also running a pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens with the commitment to give full respect to their faith. Keeping in mind the problems faced by senior citizens living below the poverty line in their old age, Chhattisgarh government is not only taking care of them but also providing them proper health benefits. Under the Senior Citizen Assistive Equipment Supply Scheme, equipment like wheelchairs, hearing aids, spectacles, canes etc. are being provided. More than 50 thousand senior citizens of the state have been benefited from this scheme.
Under the social assistance program of Chhattisgarh government, pension amount is given to senior citizens living below the poverty line. At present, more than 14 lakh senior citizens are being benefited from the pension scheme. Similarly, to create a positive and aware environment in the society towards the safety, protection and respect of senior citizens, International Day of Older Persons is organised every year on October 1, from block level to state level. For quick resolution of problems of senior citizens, assistance and guidance, helpline 155-326 and toll free number 1800-233-8989 are being operated in the Directorate of Social Welfare, which is benefiting senior citizens across the state. In this way, continuous work is being done in Chhattisgarh for the safety, respect, health and welfare of our senior citizens.
