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Delhi increases senior citizens' pension
The Delhi government Monday decided to hike the monthly pension of senior citizens, who are above 70 years, from
Rs.1,000 to Rs.1,500, with effect from October 1, 2011. The move, which will benefit more than 160,000 people, comes ahead of
the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections scheduled to be held in 2012.
'All the senior citizens above 70 years will get Rs.1,500 as a monthly
pension,' Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters here.
The government has been providing pensions of Rs.1,000 to senior citizens, who are above 60 years, residing in Delhi for five years and
whose annual family income is less than Rs.60,000 from all sources, she added.
The pension is sanctioned under the old age financial assistance scheme
of the social welfare department. Presently, 3,61,987 beneficiaries are
listed under the scheme. The city government will release an additional budget allocation of
Rs.34 crore to meet the enhanced liability.
Dialysis service for the old, free ambulance for expecting women
Delhi Health Minister A. K. Walia on October 2, 2011 said the Delhi Government
was now on course to provide dialysis services at a large number of its
health centres to primarily cater to the needs of the aged and free
ambulance services under Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojna for pregnant women.
The Government, he said, was also working towards ensuring that the poor
do not face any difficulty in getting free treatment and free beds in
private hospitals. Speaking at a special health camp organised by the Health Department at
Hedgewar Hospital in the Trans Yamuna area to commemorate the International Day of Senior Citizens, the Minister said this day reminds
the authorities and the people alike of the contribution, dignity and needs of senior citizens.
Special health camps were organised for senior citizens by Delhi
Government in 24 of its hospitals on Saturday. Apart from offering free
services of some specialists, free spectacles and hearing aids were also
distributed to the aged at Hedgewar Hospital. “In Delhi, there were about 8 lakh senior citizens in 2001 and this
number has increased to about 14 lakh now,” the Minister said, adding
that senior citizens are being provided preferential treatment in Delhi
Government hospitals and dispensaries.
Senior citizens can call 1298 for legal, financial, medical problems
Prominent city NGOs and welfare services in Mumbai have come together to launch a
24- hour helpline, 1298, which starting May 10, 2010 will help elderly persons tackle their
legal, medical and financial problems. The helpline, which already provides assistance to women and ambulance services,
will now extend their services to elderly citizens as well. Two counsellors will also be available round the clock on the helpline.
The Mumbai Police Elder helpline and Ambulance Access for All Foundation have
teamed up with 10 NGOs working for senior citizens, including Silver Innings
Foundation and HelpAge India to provide a referral and a counselling service to
the 1.5 million senior citizen in the city. “Often, senior citizens don’t know whom to approach when they have a problem.
Now, by dialing 1298 from either their landline number or their cellphone, they
can avail of a directory of NGOs who can help them on a variety of issues,” said
Shailesh Mishra, founder and president of Silver Innings Foundation.
For instance, if they want to know more about Alzheimer’s disease, the helpline
will refer them to the correct NGO. Or if it is a case of physical or mental
abuse, they can speak to a counsellor. If they wish, they can be directly
transferred to the police elder helpline too, Mishra said. “Our vision is to get all the NGOs working with senior citizens under one roof.
They need to know that they are not alone and shouldn’t hesitate to ask for
help, even if it’s just advice they’re seeking,” said Member of Parliament,
Priya Dutt, a trustee of the Nargis Dutt Memorial Charitable Trust, which is
funding the helpline.“We are also creating a directory of resources, so that the elderly don’t have
to be dependent on anyone,” said Mishra. Information on yoga centres, dabba services, and mobility aids will be made
available within the next three months. At present the helpline will provide
information on day-care centres, legal and financial matters and the Right to Information Act.
“The needs of the elderly are different from those of other ages, so a helpline
is urgently needed,” said Nasreen Rustomfram, dean, student affairs, Tata
Institute of Social Sciences, who teaches a course on gerontology.The helpline 1298 already provides assistance to women and ambulance services.
Source: Hindustan Times
Free legal advice for senior citizens
Elders' helpline 1090 offers free
legal advice every Thursday from 2 pm to 5 pm. Venue: Office of additional commissioner of police (traffic), 2nd Floor, BMTC bus terminus,
Shivajinagar.
Lawyers from Alternative Law Forum will attend to senior citizens. 1090/ 22943226
Free ayurvedic camp
Indian Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine and Research is organizing a free ayurvedic camp
for asthma, arthritis, diabetes, piles and rectal disease on its premises on Jayamahal Road till Saturday.
Timing: 9 am to 1 pm. 23530013
Free counselling
Chemical Addiction Rehabilitation Education (Care) offers free and confidential counselling on alcohol and drug abuse.
Venue: 621/732/1A, Cave Temple Road, opposite Meenakshi temple, Bannerghatta Road.
Timing: 10 am to 4 pm. 26580193
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