Appeal to All Senior Citizens
(Issued by the Joint Action Committee of Senior Citizens constituted to organize
National Protest Day on August 16, 2010).
WAKE UP SENIOR CITIZENS AND ACT
NATIONAL PROTEST DAY AUGUST 16, 2010
Today, we are more than 10 Crores out of a population of around 113Crores in our Country, According to HelpAge, 66% of them can not afford two square meals a .day, 90% of them have no social or health security, 73% are illiterate and can only survive by doing physical labour, and 37% are lonely cursing their age.
Our Government signed the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002, when it committed to halve the old age poverty by 2015 but the reverse seems to be happening in our Country. According to another estimate while the population of BPL category has gone down below 22%, that in case of the Older Persons has exceeded 66%. This segment thus is becoming larger and larger at the same time is getting poorer and poorer. The poorest among the poor are Senior Citizens.
All this is happening because of the gross neglect by our rulers of our concerns and problems. You will agree with the fact that we elders have waited for years on end to get attention from our rulers but all that we have received is indifference towards our issues. While we are keen to play our role in the development of our Country and the activities for the welfare of community, we also demand that our concerns must be addressed. Just look at these glaring facts,
.
National Policy on Older Persons announced more than 11 years ago has
been accepted partially [not implemented] by only 7 States/UTs and the
remaining 28 have even not bothered about it. No State has fully
implemented it.
.
The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act has been
operationalized only by 3 States out of 35 States/UTs though it was passed
by the Parliament almost 3 years ago.
.
Though mandated in the NPOP, only 5 States provide some sort of health
cover to BPL category, the APL Senior Citizens are still left high and dry, even in these States, without any social and health security whatsoever
.
The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme is implemented fully by
only a few States. Rest is disbursing much less than the recommended Rs
400 per month. In most States it has become an instrument to dole out
political favour. It would have made substantial difference, if implemented
truthfully in the life of 65+ Senior Citizens particularly the 70% living in
villages.
We can not tolerate this any further. It is planned that we all Senior Citizens in our Country will observe a Protest Day on August 16, 2010 to let the Governments know that we can not be taken for granted any longer, and steps have to be taken to solve our problems. This programme is supported by around twenty seven National and State level Senior Citizens’ Organizations. It will be observed in every State, District and Taluka of our Country in a dignified manner in keeping with the prestige of Senior Citizens.
All Senior Citizens are requested to send Post Cards and/or E/Mail as per following:-
Senior Citizens National Protest Day: Post Card Campaign
The Joint Action Committee for SCNPD requests that all senior citizens write a Post card to each to: Prime Minister, Smt Sonia Gandhi, Sri Mukul Wasnik, Shri Ashok Chavan, CM of Maharashtra.(To Chief Minister Of Your State/UT with problems of your State/UT).
The text is given below:
Shri Dr Manmohan Singh
Honorable Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister’s Office
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi,
India-110101. E/Mail:manmohan@sansad.nic.in Smt Sonia Gandhi
Leader of Indian National Congress
10, Janpath,
New Delhi - 110 011.
E/Mail: soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in
Sri Mukul Wasnik
Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment
Shastri Bhavan
New Delhi 110001.
E/Mail: m_wasnik@hotmail.com Shri Ashok Chavan,
Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra ,
Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032.
E/Mail: ashokchavanmind@rediff.com
Sub: Grievances of Senior Citizens
Dear Mr. Prime Minister
• 63 years have passed and we still do not have social or health security for our Elders.
2• 11 years have passed and NPOP has not been implemented fully by a single State
• 3 years have passed and MWPSC Act has become fully operational only in 3 States/UTs
• More than 50% BPL Senior Citizens[65+] either do not get any Old Age Pension or are paid much less than the stipulated minimum
5. Important Petitions by name to President of India & Prime Minister are not replied at all. Public Grievance Solving Machinery at most of the levels including the highest level also does not work at all!!
In most progrssive State like Maharashtra , National Policy is not yet adopted or notified and State Council not constituted even after 11 years. Grievances of Senior Citizens reported to CM by name are also not solved or looked in to seriously or sincerely. Public Grievance Machinery is just not functioning. Indira Gandhi Pension is paid to only 244221 BPL families out of more than 3 crore BPL families in Maharashtra. Maintenance of Parents & Senior Citizens Act is just notified in July, 10 after 3 years without establishing tribunals etc. International Day Of Elders on 1st October & World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15th June are not observed by State Government, which clearly indicates that Senior Citizens are completely ignored.
It is unfortunate that we have to resort to observing Protest Day on August 16 to bring our plight to your notice.
With Regards, ( This request may be passed on to all senior citizens known to you).
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