TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Even as Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar offered government’s assistance to solve problems plaguing elders, senior citizens on Tuesday highlighted their plight and called for redressal of their grievances, including setting up of a 24-hour help line to cater to their needs.
Outgoing President of the Forum for Senior Citizens of India, Eknath Naik, underlined the need to use the services of senior citizens for productive use. “Placement agencies can offer part-time jobs to senior citizens and take advantage of their rich experience,” he said.
Saying that many a senior citizen undergoes financial and health problems, he requested for a separate ward for senior citizens at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, which is yet to be implemented till date.
On the rising cases of harassment of senior citizens by their children, Eknath said the Act and the rules have not come to the rescue of elders. Instead, counselling centres will go a long way in improving relations between senior citizens and their children and remove misconceptions.
Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said the government would resolve all pending grievances and demands of senior citizens. “At Canacona, we have proposed an ashram for senior citizens and widows. The construction has begun and will become a reality within two years,” he said.
Tawadkar wondered whether the education system has resulted in the neglect of elders by society, while exuding confidence that discussing the issues across the table will help
in finding solutions.
Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the long-pending demand of senior citizens to have
a spacious space in the Old District Collectorate will
be pursued with the government.
