Where old men may find an oasis

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 13. To facilitate the implementation of the National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP) announced by the Government in January last year, the National Council for Older Persons (NCOP) today unveiled a five-year action plan.

The draft plan 2000-2005 - which spells out the charter of action to be executed - was discussed by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment (SJE), Ms. Maneka Gandhi, at a meeting here with the NCOP members.

Besides setting up a Senior Citizens Welfare Fund at the Centre, an inter-Ministerial committee to coordinate timely and proper implementation of the NPOP will also be constituted.

The action plan aims at providing assistance to panchayati raj institutions for rendering institutional and non- institutional services to older persons. Assistance will also be given for setting up resource centres on ageing across the country while States will shortly be asked to issue multi-purpose identity- cards to senior citizens and identify a nodal department to coordinate and monitor implementation of the NPOP.

Since the announcement of NPOP last year, the Ministry has undertaken several initiatives like OASIS (Old Age Social & Income Security Scheme) and ``Aadhar''. The former aims at providing a safety net to workers, particularly of the unorganised sector, in their old age with the small contributions they make during their working life. This is the first time such an effort has been made to provide instruments for investments for the future of 89 per cent of the workforce and once approved by the Government, it would provide the basis of economic security during old age.

To address the complaints, suggestions and grievances of senior citizens, ``Aadhar'' has been set up to create a core group in each district.

The core group consisting of lawyers, doctors and social workers is expected to provide all assistance and, at present, out of 578 districts, volunteers for forming core groups have been identified in 290 districts while the process is on in the rest of the country.

Addressing the meeting, Ms. Maneka Gandhi, said that at her Ministry's request, the Chief Justice of India had advised all Chief Justices of High Courts to expedite cases involving older persons. Several High Courts including Delhi, Kerala, Pondicherry, Rajasthan and Assam responded positively to the suggestion.

Mrs. Gandhi said the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, at the request of her Ministry, had issued instructions to all State Governments to ensure separate queues for senior citizens.

Pointing out that initiatives taken so far concentrated in cities and towns, Ms. Gandhi emphasised the need for focussing on the needs, facilities and support structures in villages.

Low-cost old-age homes should be constructed in the countryside without removing the old people from their social and cultural environment. The Ministry was already working on a plan to construct such low-cost homes for older people in rural areas.

Besides realising the importance of the voluntary sector, community and committed individuals, in creating an environment and providing infrastructure and support systems to ensure security in old-age, the SJE Ministry is also consulting other Government departments and Ministries to expedite and coordinate all measures.

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