Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 10: Home for the Aged & Infirm (Vridh Ashram), Ambphalla here today in collaboration with District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Jammu, organized an awareness programme on ‘Legal Services to Senior Citizens’.
The programme was conducted under the aegis of DLSA Jammu with the objective of sensitizing senior citizens about their legal rights, entitlements and welfare schemes available under various laws.
Maleeka Sharma, Sub-Judge and Secretary, DLSA Jammu, apprised Vridh Ashram inmates of the welfare measures taken by the Government and the Judiciary to safeguard the interests of senior citizens.
She encouraged them to come forward and share their grievances and assured that legal aid would be provided upon lodging complaints.
Maleeka Sharma informed that Para Legal Volunteers would assist the senior citizens by visiting the Vridh Ashram, preparing applications and ensuring that senior citizens are not required to repeatedly visit Courts or Police Stations.
She further stated that a panel of advocates has been empanelled by the Court to provide free legal aid, with a provision to change the advocate if the litigant is dissatisfied. Advocate Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Deputy Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC), Jammu was resource person and he highlighted important legal provisions enacted for the protection and welfare of senior citizens.
Dawood Ibrahim, Para Legal Volunteer (PLV), DLSA Jammu informed that he would be visiting the Home to prepare case files of inmates who raised the issues including matters relating to maintenance from earnings of their children who are neglecting their parents.
The programme was attended by Dr. Dinesh Gupta, secretary, Vijay Gupta, joint secretary, Satpal Sharma, member Managing Committee and Dr. B.B Sharma besides inmates and staff of the Home.
During interaction, the inmates highlighted that despite falling under senior and super-senior citizen categories, majority are not receiving pension benefits due to the absence of domicile certificates and ration cards. They urged DLSA Jammu to intervene in this regard.
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