Senior Citizens Observe protest day

Hyderabad: In a response to the call given by Joint Action Committee (JAC) of All India Senior Citizens Organizations, Pensioners’ associations, NGOs and other organizations, the senior citizens observed protest day on 16^th August across the country against the indifferent attitude of governments in implementing National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) & Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.

Hundreds of senior citizens participated in the rallies and dharnas. Members of various senior citizens participated in the rally, wearing black badges, and carrying placards and banners with slogans. They enthusiastically participated in the public meetings, seminars, group discussions, peace rallies and demonstrations across the country to show their unity, strength and solidarity. The senior citizen delegations in the country met respective state ministers, MPs and MLAs submitted memorandums.

In Hyderabad, the senior citizens associations observed protest day on 16^th August at Kukatpally, Kothapeta, Dilsukh Nagar, AS Rao Nagar, Tarnaka, Bouddha Nagar, Rajendra Nagar, and Hydera guda , Alwal and Malkajigr areas.

Later, under the aegis of Joint Action Committee of Senior citizens associations led by Ch. Parameswar Reddy, V. Nageswara Rao, L. Srikanth Mrunal (Help Age India) and other prominent senior citizens met Smt. Suneetha Laxma Reddy, minister for Women and Child Welfare and Disabled and Senior Citizens Department. The delegation made an appeal to the minister to take necessary action for the implementation of senior citizens welfare acts and schemes in the state. She assured the delegation that she would take the matter to the notice of chief minister and try her best to solve the problems of senior citizens.

In Andhra Pradesh, at various district headquarters and prominent municipalities and towns, citizens observed protest day and submitted memorandums to the local government officers, MPs, and MLAs.

The union government adopted a national policy for older persons (NPOP) in 1999 but, its implementation has been very slow. The Andhra Pradesh government also adopted the policy and published an action plan in 2004. But, the policies remained only on paper till date and another important welfare act - the maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens act 2007 is not yet implemented in the true spirit of the act. In the past, the senior citizens associations and NGOs have made representations to the state government in this regard. Under these circumstances, the senior citizens’ organizations, pensioners’ associations, NGOs working for care and welfare of elders have been observing protest day on August, 16^th for the last two years. This is the third time for the elders to observe the protest day in the country.

The main demands of the senior citizens are:

·         Implementation of national policy on older persons (NPOP) in all the states.

·         Implementation of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and formation of tribunals in all the districts in the state.

·         50% concession in RTC bus fares.

·         Increase in pensions for senior citizens from the current range of Rs.200-400 to Rs.2,000

·         Extension of Arogya Sree and Health Care Schemes to middle class senior citizens above the poverty line but below the income tax paying slab.

·         Health Insurance policies at affordable premiums.

·         Construction of old age homes in all important towns in the state

·         Implement the welfare schemes for the betterment of life of senior citizens at their twilight times

·         Separate department for the senior citizens should be created in the state government.

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