Guwahati: As the general elections approach, senior citizens have come up with a list of demands which they have urged the political parties to include in their manifestos.
“We wish to draw the attention of political parties to some of the critical needs of the 100 million plus senior citizens who form a substantial section of the voting population, whose number will swell to 200 million by 2030. We would urge that these critical issues be given due attention and included in the coming 2014 election,” Nilondra Tanya, State Head (NE), HelpAge India, said in a statement here.
Among the issues raised is universal pension for all elders, APL and BPL, excluding those who are income tax payers, with the minimum pension amount to be Rs 2,000 with the Centre providing Rs 1,000 and recommending that the states provide Rs 1,000 as well.
Extending geriatric healthcare facility to all the districts of India as well as assured health insurance as per the Rastriya Swasthaya Bima Yojana that is RSBY have also been demanded by the senior citizens.
Another demand raised is that old age homes be constructed and run, at least one in every district.
The statement maintained that this was promised under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 but not implemented (except one constructed in Gurdaspur by HelpAge India with GOI and MPLAD funds). (UNI)
