TISS supports SCNPD 2013

TISS supports senior citizens protest

India Blooms News Service




Kolkata, Aug 7 (IBNS): Centre For Lifelong Learning at the Tata
Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) on Wednesday said the organisation
along with ten crore Indian senior citizens on the National Protest
Fortnight Day on Aug 16 will demand the government's immediate
attention and action to implement welfare policies and available
legislation at state level for senior citizens in the country.


For the past three years, the All India Senior Citizen's Confederation
(AISCCON), along with several national and state level bodies, has
been observing Aug 16 as a special day for senior citizens throughout
India.

The objective has been to draw the attention of all communities
involved in senior citizens welfare like: the state and central
governments, politicians, ministers, bureaucrats, media persons,
public and of course senior citizens and senior citizens associations
and NGOs working for the welfare of the aged.

Commenting on this critical human right issue, S. Parasuraman,
Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences said, "India comprises of
more than ten crores elderly persons. This section of the society is
very vulnerable and it is our duty to inculcate a holistic
understanding of the biological, social, political and economic issues
involved in working with older adults even in the TISS curriculum."

"We along with the Joint Action Committee support the upcoming Senior
Citizens National Protest Fortnight and hope the concerned stake
holders will take notice of this important milestone," he said.

The intentions of the Central Government in formulating schemes /
policies for the older persons have been to relieve them from the
clutches of hunger, disease, poverty, neglect and insecurity.

Three policies exist to translate their intention which include
National Policy on Older Persons, (NPOP, 1999), enactment of the
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (MWPSCA,
2007), and announcing the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension
Scheme (IGNOAPS, 2007).

These acts are a part of the country's commitment to protect the Human
Rights of its senior citizens.

These steps also safeguard the rights of the older persons as citizens
mandated in the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Indian
Constitution which states that "the State will extend support for
financial security, health care and shelter for senior citizens and
provide protection against abuse and exploitation".

Speaking at the conference Kinjawadekar, Immediate past President,
AISCCON (All India Senior Citizens Confederation) & National
coordinator of Joint Action Committee said, "The senior citizens in
our country need immediate attention. The Senior Citizen's National
Protest Fortnight will witness nationwide activities beginning from
August and culminating on 16th August."

"We believe that this protest will reach out to the government
officials and influencers in the society who can make a difference to
fulfill the basic needs of the elderly in the country," he said.

On Aug 16, The Senior Citizens National Protest Fortnight, will be
held across key cities in India commencing with a movement at Azad
maidan in Mumbai where thousands of senior citizens are expected to
perform 'Dharna' for the entire day to put forth their demands.

This year's focus will be on be the non-performing state governments,
particularly those which have not implemented NPOP, MWPSCA, IGNOAP
Scheme etc. or have done so only partially.

Healthcare for senior citizens and Old Age Pension for BPL senior
citizens will also be demanded.

Asking for a National Commission for senior citizens and appealing to
the nodal ministry for recognising AISCCON as the member in the
National Association of Older Persons as per NPOP guidelines, are on
the demand list as well.

Besides these, other demands will include specific saving scheme for
senior citizens, increase of tax exemption limit to 5 lakhs for them
and 50 percent railway concession to male senior citizens.
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Source:
http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/2013/newsDetails080813d.php


Dr P Vyasamoorthy
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 949080427