Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 1: In an on-line open discussion, members of the Association for Welfare of Senior Citizens (AWSC) Jammu today discussed various issues concerning senior citizens.
Participants expressed serious concern over certain burning issues/problems being faced by this segment of the society, which, they said, were brought to the notice of appropriate authorities from time to time, but did not evoke any positive response so far.
The members said that by virtue of Central Act, 34 of 2019, ‘The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007’ has been made applicable to the UT of J&K, replacing the State Act earlier in force but status of Rules and appointment of specified authorities for carrying out the purposes of the Act is still unknown.
They emphasized on the need of constitution of a ‘UT Council of Senior Citizens’ to advise the UT administration on effective implementation of the provisions of the Central Act, 34 and constitution of a “Welfare Fund” to meet the obligation for welfare and rehabilitation of senior citizens that may arise out of provisions of the Act and Rules framed there under.
The participants appealed Directorate of Social Welfare to prepare a detailed plan for development of “Pay and Stay Homes” and “Old Age Homes” to be implemented in a phased manner and constitute committees for each district to advice district administration in effective and coordinated implementation of provisions of the Act.
They emphasized on taking expeditious decision about handing over of eight kanals of State land allocated for setting up of a “Pay and Stay Home” at village Dhammi (Nagrota) and allotment of small piece of land within Jammu city by JDA for establishing office-cum recreation spot for AWSC Jammu.
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