JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE
OF SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE ASSOCIATIONS
OF GREATER HYDERABAD
( a unified committee consisting of APSCCON, FAPSCO, TCSCCON, HELPAGE, AASARA and other
Associations)
Address for
correspondence Plot.No.75, Madhavapuri Colony, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad –
500094, Ph.No: 9490453036
Secunderabad,
14tht August, 2013
To
The Hon. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh,
Govt. of Andhra Pradesh,
‘C’ Block, A.P. Secretariat,
Hyderabad – 500 003
Sir,
Sub Memorandum from Senior
Citizen Associations of Andhra Pradesh for Redressal of grievances.
We appreciate the
gesture of the Government of Andhra Pradesh for adopting the National Policy of
older persons( N.P.O.P) formulated by Government of India in 1999, and making
efforts to implement it. The Andhra
Pradesh State Government have also published a State Plan of action on the
above policy in the year 2004.
Though
the plan of action of the Government generated feelings of happiness among the
senior citizens of the State, its implementation continued to be very
slow. We are submitting this memorandum
on behalf of over 80 lakhs of Senior Citizens particularly the indigent in the
State. We are only requesting the
Government to implement what was accepted by the Government of A.P. in principle.
We and the various associations
working for the welfare of the poor senior citizens have submitted several
representations at different levels of administration during the last 4 years
and have even expressed disappointment by observing protest days also over the unsympathetic attitude of the
government. Unfortunately uptill now ,there
has been no positive response.
The
issues that are causing hardships to the elders or as follows:
1. PROVISION
OF INSURANCE COVERAGE TO THE MIDDLE CLASS SENIOR CITIZENS (above BPL, but below
tax liability):- Clause (m) of page 31 of A.P. State Plan of
Action on NPOP for senior citizens says “develop health insurance package covering
different income segments (of senior citizens).
Packages catering to low income groups will be entitled to State Subsidy” The BPL
citizens of Andhra Pradesh are fortunate to have the unique health
scheme AROGYASREE, but the senior citizens above the BPL group are deprived of
this scheme. About 80% of the families (including pensioner are already covered under either
the AROGYASREE or other health insurance.
In the absence of such coverage senior citizens of middle class are dropping into the BPL category, because
of the exhorbitant cost of medical care. We request that the Arogyasree or
other subsidized medical scheme may be extended to all the middle class senior
citizens even by making them meet a part of the premium.
2
OLD AGE PENSIONS:- We are
thankful to the Government for implementing the Indira Gandhi National Old Age
Pension Scheme, but the distressing fact is that the Government is paying only
Rs.200/- per family for the Senior
Citizens.It is so inadequate in the present context that with this pension they
could procure food for only one day in a
month. We learn that, even this amount
is paid by the Government of India. We
therefore pray that this amount may be increased to Rs1000/- per person. In
this connection, A.P State Plan of Action, Page 31 says “revision of rate of
monthly pension so as to take care of Inflationary trends. It may not be out of place to mention that
the Government of Tamil Nadu is paying Rs.1000/- as old age pension.
3
CONCESSIONS IN RTC BUSES:-
a.
Page 33
point 1 under RTC buses of A.P State Plan of Action says. quote “provide fare
concessions to senior citizens in buses”
We have been requesting for
this for a long time, but no concessions have been
granted either by the Government of A.P.
or by the R.T.C. even though the transport minister made press/public statements that 50%
concession would be given. In India, at
least 5 to 6 States granting concession ranging from 25% to 75% to senior
citizens. We therefore request that a
concession of 50% in R.T.C may be granted,
as such concession would give some relief to the senior citizens (poor) who travel by
buses only out of necessity for medical treatment, religious or other
ceremonies,
b. AMENITIES
IN BUSES:- At present only 3
seats are reserved in buses which is inadequate as it is often seen that elders
of age 70 – 80 are also made to stand while travelling in buses. Atleast 6 seats may be reserved and if they
remain vacant others are in any case occupying them.
c.
In most of
the RTC buses, the steps for boarding
are too high causing undue physical hardship to old people. These may be
suitably modified to facilitate boarding.
4
INEFFECTIVE
IMPLEMENTATION OF SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE ACT, 2007:- It is
gratifying that the Government of A P. have promptly notified the above Act and
also issued the G.O containing the rules for implementation of the Act. Which benefits to senior citizens who are neglected by their children. But from the
number of cases filed and decided in the Tribunals in the Districts for payment
of maintenance allowance it is seen that in 80% of the Districts the number is
either NIL or extremely poor. This shows
that the act is not implemented effectively.It is requested that necessary
funds and staff may be provided so that the Act is publicized among the needy
and implemented effectively.
5
AMENITIES IN PUBLIC PLACES:-
a.
It is a
common sight that senior citizens are made to stand for a long time in the Q
along with others at e.seva centers, bus
counters, fair price shops, banks, and
other bill paying counters, etc., we pray that suitable instructions may
be issued from the highest level to all concerned officials of all the
departments to provide separate counters
or Q lines for senior citizens. This
cost nothing to the Govt but at the same time gives a lot of relief for senior
citizens. Rom physical strain. suffer
for long time for getting the work done.
b. Similarly posters or other appropriate bill boards
may be arranged at all Government and Quasi Government organizations urging the
people to “respect the elders” “Help the
Elders” etc., and create public awareness of their responsibility towards elderly.
6
FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL PLAN OF OLDER
PERSONS:- There are several provisions in the above
plan formulated by the Government of India and generously adopted by the
Government of Andhra Pradesh, as early as 2004 for the welfare and safety of
senior citizens. We pray that all the
provisions in the said plan may be
implemented in letter and spirit, for which we the senior citizens, (numbering
9% of the population, 15% of the voters and 20% of the potential and effective
voters) will remain ever grateful to the Government. Thanking you sir,
Yours faithfully
(V.Nageswara Rao)
SecretaryGeneral,A.P.Senior.CitizensConfederation(APSCCON)
ONBEHALF OF JOINT ACTION COMMITTE OF SR CITIZENS
ASSOCIATIONS OF GREATER HYDERABAD
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