The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Who is a senior citizen?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Who is a senior citizen?

Who is a senior citizen?

At what age should a citizen in our country be called a senior citizen? The answer to this question today is not one and uniform, but different.

The National Police on Older Persons (NPOP), adopted by the Central Government in January, 1999, confers the status of a senior citizen to a person (male or female) who has attained the age of 60, but even after six years of its adoption, the decision remains unimplemented.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the nodal ministry responsible for the welfare of senior citizens, has also stressed upon various ministries/Departments for adopting the age of 60 for extending facilities/concessions at the inter-ministerial committee meeting also.

The Railway Ministry has reduced the age from 65 to 60 for rail concession. The Income Tax Act grants concessions to those above 65. For concessions in domestic air travel, National Old Age Pension (NOAP) and Annapurna Scheme, the age needed is 65-plus. Most State Governments give financial assistance to elderly destitute aged above 65. Some states like Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, UP and Uttaranchal give financial assistance to destitute persons aged above 60. In brief, there is no uniformity on deciding a senior citizen.

It is, therefore, our earnest appeal to the Union Government and all other State Governments to implement the policy decision approved under NPOP uniformly and extend the concessions to elderly persons aged above 60 as early as possible.

D. Manickam,

Secretary,

All India Central Government

Pensioners' Association,

Erode.

Water crisis

It is quite interesting and amusing to go through the Coimbatore Corporation insertion in The Hindu dated May 24 boasting about good supply of protected water and in this summer, there will be no crisis management. It is nothing but hoodwinking the public by giving false statements.

I am residing in Dr. Munuswamy Nagar, an approved layout, where there are 48 houses. Till about three weeks back, water supply was fairly adequate and we could manage. Now, the scenario has reversed. During the last 21 days, we had supply only on one day and that too after complaining to the field office at Sungam. Subsequently, it is back to square one. We had made complaints both in person and through phone to the local Sungam Division Office and all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Other colonies in the area are getting supply and there is no chaos there. Just on the eastern side, a powerful promoter has constructed 66 individual houses and this colony has been given connection from our main supply main line. This colony is protected and no outsider is permitted. So what happens inside, God only know.

In the nutshell, we the residents of 48 houses are starving for water. We do hope this message will reach the higher-ups and ensure proper relief for us.

D. Subramanian,

Ramanathapuram,

Coimbatore.

Bogus voters

Professionals and officials working outside native places are not in a position to be present on the polling day in their native place to exercise their franchise.

Some miscreants make a list of such voters and poll bogus votes . If the Election Department prepares a list of voters working outside their native place, they can easily detect the bogus voters and take them to task.

M.S. Sankaran,

Palani

New water connection

It was really heartening to read the report on comfortable water position in Siruvani Dam. After four years, the citizens of Tex City are delighted to get regular water supply on alternate days. What is disturbing is the future of those citizens who have been waiting for new connections at their newly-built houses, in and around the city.

I am a resident of a colony under Kavundampalayam municipality. There are 15 houses in the colony. All the residents have applied for new connections and paid the requisite fees more than one year ago, but none got the new connection. Our queries with the municipal authorities did not elicit any response. What then is the use of comfortable water level in Siruvani, if legitimate citizens are deprived of water for months together?

J.Dasgupta,

Coimbatore.

Bus shelter

The old bus shelter on the northern side of 100 Feet Road near 5th Street was removed after a new commercial complex was opened near it and also the bus stop was shifted to a new place. After shifting, the bus shelter has not been replaced. This has put the commuters to a great deal of hardship. Also, as there is no shelter, the new commuters do not know where to stand to board the bus. I request the authorities to do the needful and restore the bus shelter immediately.

Sankar,

Coimbatore.

Not sincere

Since 1987, INTACH at Coimbatore had been making efforts to save the Noyyal River and check excessive use of its water and the tanks system from pollution and contamination of Tirupur's dye, bleach and knitwear industries, which even today, resent installing treatment plants.

Several meetings, seminars, workshops, camps and rallies were conducted involving officials of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, panchayats, municipalities, owners of polluting industries and office-bearers of various associations, service organisations such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club and others, agriculturists and local residents whose lives are affected.

Scientists from SITRA and Department of Environmental Science from institutions such as the PSG, GCT and CIT colleges and the TNAUparticipated.

Eventually, however, we realised the futility of our efforts since none of the industries, or Government officials were sincere in their commitment.

Shashi Ghulati,

Convenor, INTACH,

Coimbatore.

Speed up re-laying work

This is with regard to the road re-laying work from the junction of Argus Vilankurichi Road and Avinashi Road towards west, which started on April 11, 2005. Even though the work is going on till 11.30 p.m. everyday, it is observed by the citizens in these areas that it is progressing dead slow. If the relaying work is not completed before the schools reopen, the students are likely to be late and could be punished by teachers. A majority of hospitals are also located on the Avinashi Road. Due to the slow pace of work, patients may find tough to reach the hospitals in case of emergencies. I request the authorities concerned to look into the matter and speed up the work.

N.R. Ravisankar,

Coimbatore.

Repair chairs

Coimbatore North Railway station has two counters for passengers to reserve tickets. To make the long wait in the queues less tiresome, a few rows of chairs have been provided in front of the counters. Half-a dozen of them are damaged and unfit for use.

Besides putting the hapless passengers to hardship, it affects the image of the Railways too. Maybe, the lack of funds is delaying the repair. The authorities concerned should look into this and take remedial measures without delay. The large entrance to the waiting hall on the eastern side can be provided with a sunshade for protecting the waiting passengers from sun and rain.

K. D. Viswanaathan,

Coimbatore.

Welcome move

It is heartening to note that the Trichy Road will be widened from Stock Exchange to Neelambur Road (The Hindu, May 27). I request the authorities to take up the following work too: the road leading to Vellalore should be straightened to be in line with the Kamaraj Road and traffic signals relocated.

Gopalan,

Coimbatore.

(Readers can mail their letters to wscbe@thehindu.co.in)

Secretary,

All India Central Government

Pensioners' Association,

Erode.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu