Jammu, April 23 (Scoop News) – The State Government is contemplating to formulate a policy to ensure social and economic security to senior citizens, besides adoption of the Maintenance of Parents – Elders Act in the state, the Parliament Law in operation in other states of the country.
The proposed Policy would pave way for the protection of rights and dignity of the old aged parents and other senior citizens in the society and within the family, besides ensuring certain concession for them in the delivery of public services, including health, travelling and others. The policy would also enshrine the provision for establishment of Old Age Homes and day care centres on the pattern of centre.
The issues were dealt upon here today at a meeting of State Level Advisory Council for Senior Citizens (SLACSC) chaired by Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Sakina Itoo, who is also vice- chairperson of the council and attended by the council members from across the state, besides government functionaries representing various departments and representatives of Non- Governmental Organisations and Welfare Associations working for the welfare of the old aged and destitute.
The council was constituted by the government some years back, with Chief Minister as its chairman.
The meeting held threadbare discussions on the problems confronting the senior citizens, while the Council members and other participants gave various suggestions to ensure formulation of a comprehensive policy to meet the aspirations of the senior citizens and the protection of their rights and social security.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister said that the government was sincerely working for formulation of the Senior Citizen Policy, including the adoption of the Maintenance of Parents –Elders Act. She said that the government has already issued instructions to every department, including, health, transport and other service providing departments to ensure that the senior citizens shall get special care with certain concessions. She assured the council members that the government was keen to implement the Laws for the protection of the dignity and rights of the senior citizens with a focus for their social security.
Among other the meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Social Welfare Department Muhammad Yaseen, Director, Tribal Affairs Ali Raza Executive Director, J&K Rehabilitation Council Bashir Ahmad Wani, Managing Director, Women Development Corporation (WDC) Dr. Naheed Soz, Secretary Social Welfare Board Gazanfar Ali, Secretary Women Commission Dr. Khursheed Ahmad Zargar, Secretary Gujar and Bakerwal Advisory Board Latief Ahmad Poswal, Special Secretary (OSD) Social Welfare Dr. G.N.Itoo, Director Social Welfare Jammu Muhammad Hussain Bhatti, Deputy Director (Adm) Mrs. Trishla Kumari, District Social Welfare Officers of Jammu Division official and non official members of the Council and representatives of various NGOs.