Elders! Arise, awake and show your strength!!

Observe Protest Day on 16^th August, 2010

It is so sad to note that the government of India could not succeed in designing a well planned policy for the welfare of senior citizens in the country, even after more than 60 years of independence. The population of senior citizens in India is more than 100 millions (10 Crores) as on today. But, according to a survey conducted by HelpAge, 66% of them can not afford even two square meals a day and 90% of them have no health or social security. The survey has also revealed that 73% of them are illiterate and has to depend up on physical labour for their survival.

Indian Government signed the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002 and made a promise that it would half the old age poverty by 2015. However, the promise has remained as an unfulfilled promise. According to government statistics, the population living below poverty line is just 22% but it is 66% among senior citizens. It clearly indicates that old age is also one of the factors of poverty. Among poor, the situation of aged poor is much adverse. The indifferent attitude of central and state governments is the prime cause for the situation.

“National Policy on Older Persons” was announced more than 11 years ago, but 28 States and Union Territories did not accept it. Only 7 states accepted it but none of them implemented the policy fully. Only a few states are fully implementing “The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme” and remaining states are distributing much less than the recommended Rs. 400 per month.

Indira Gandhi National Old age Pension policy, announced by central government, is being implemented for fuller extent in a few states. However, even among the states that are implementing the policy, some states are paying the senior citizens only Rs. 400/-. Rural poor in villages are facing several problems with the insufficient money.   

The above mentioned facts are just some of the examples for the indifference attitude of the government towards senior citizens. Still, the government is lax towards the problems of senior citizens. Hence, twenty five state and national level organizations have come together to form the joint action committee for organizing a national protest day on August 16, 2010.

This protest will be observed at district, state and national levels. As a part of their protest, the senior citizen Joint Action Committee has decided to wear a black band for the whole day. It decided to form human chains and conduct meetings. It is also set to submit memorandums to Municipal Commissioner, District Collector, MLAs, MPs and Ministers. A joint meeting is set to be held by all the organizations such as Associations of Senior Citizens, Pensioners Associations, Help Age and other social organizations. It is decided that the resolutions adopted in the meeting would be sent to Press and Government.

Following are some of the important demands of the senior citizen associations:

·        Health Insurance cover for all Senior Citizens with modest premium.

·        Implementation of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.

·        Increment of minimum pension to 500 per month.

·        Minimum age of beneficiary to be decreased to 60 from present 65

·        Minimum of 50% concession in State Bus and Railway fares for all Senior Citizens.

·        Provision of Multi-service Centres/Day Care Centers in each town with facilities of recreation, games and news papers.

·        Fast track courts for speed, time-bound disposal of pending cases of Senior Citizens.

·        Introduction of special saving scheme for Senior Citizens, with at least 2% higher interest

Dear senior citizens, awake! Unite! Strive for your goals!  Take a part in making the national level programme a grand success. Represent the unity of senior citizens.

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