By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 13: In a first, an integrated helpline to cater to the senior citizens of the state was launched here yesterday. Named “Elder Line”, this helpline will make it possible to access information on healthcare, products and services for senior citizens at the dial of a toll-free number 14567. Social Welfare Minister, Kyrmen Shylla, launched Elder Line at the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Social Welfare, Shillong.
Funded by the Senior Citizens division of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Elder Line is said to provide guidance on a plethora of senior citizen-centric matters such as pension related issues, Maintenance Act and legal issues along with elder-friendly products, old age and shelter homes.
Shylla mentioned in his inaugural address that the state government is planning to establish old-age homes in all the districts, while plans to set up a permanent old age home at Mawkasiang will also be reflected in the budget provision for the next financial year.
Announcing that the Memorandum of Understanding for Elder Line had been signed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and the Government of Meghalaya, Social Welfare department and PACE computers in January this year, Shylla further said that the government will come up with numerous welfare schemes/programmes implemented through the Social Welfare department, Health department, Community and Rural Development department, Food and Civil Supplies department to be of service to the elderly community.
Others who spoke were Principal Secretary, Social Welfare department, Sampath Kumar, and Programme Manager, Elder Helpline Meghalaya, CC Sohliya.
