The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Task force formed to monitor schemes for the elderly

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Thursday, Oct 02, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Task force formed to monitor schemes for the elderly

Special Correspondent

Senior citizens told to utilise government welfare programmes

Old-age homes have been set up in 27 districts
Day care centres opened in four districts

BANGALORE: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said here on Wednesday that the State Government constituted a task force headed by him to implement welfare schemes for senior citizens and called upon elderly people to avail themselves of benefits under various schemes.

Speaking at a function organised by the Government to mark International Day for Older Persons, he said the State had implemented various schemes such as day care centres in four districts, helplines in 15 districts, mobile medicare unit Tumkur and geriatric centres in six district hospitals to promote welfare of senior citizens. The State policy for senior citizens has been evolved to provide health, welfare, financial security, housing and shelter, protection of life and property, he said.

Old age homes have been set up in 27 districts which are being operated through NGOs for providing food, shelter, health and protection. Each old age home caters to 25 senior citizens. Besides this, 54 old age homes are run through NGOs under the Central Government’s aid.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said that in India it is expected that the population of senior citizens would touch 199 million persons by 2020. Old age pension scheme was in vogue for senior citizens who belong to below poverty line and are above 65 years of age. The Sandhya Suraksha scheme was implemented through the Revenue Department where Rs. 400 a month was paid towards maintenance allowance to elderly persons who annual income was below Rs. 20,000, he said.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said the Department of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens was issuing identity cards to senior citizens in all districts through NGOs. The district officer of the respective districts was providing necessary coordination and facilitating senior citizens to utilise benefits under various schemes launched by the government.

During the current year, 25 per cent concession was being provided to senior citizens in KSRTC and BMTC buses.

Chief Minister felicitated six persons for their contributions in various fields. They are Justice Rama Jois, MP (judiciary), writer M. Chidananda Murthy (research and literature), M. Leelavathi (art), Keladi Gunda Jois (education), M. Saroja Banappa (social service) and D.H. Guru (Sport).

The Department of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens in association with several NGOs organised the programme.

Minister for Women and Child Welfare P.M. Narendraswamy, Transport Minister R. Ashok and MLC Chandrashekar Kambar attended the programme.

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