MARGAO: The village panchayat of Majorda-Utorda-Calata panchayat has written to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), requesting the Central government to restart the Senior Citizens Railway travel pass scheme, in view of all
the hardships faced by the senior citizens.
Copies of this letter written by Sarpanch Sharlet Fernandes were also sent to the Union Finance Minister, Union railway Minister and the Chief Minister of Goa, with the common request that this matter be looked into urgently.
The Sarpanch explained that the panchayat had on Sunday, March 14, organised an awareness camp in connection with the Swayampurna Goa 2.0 mission to inform villagers about the various government schemes available under various departments.
She pointed out that during the programme, senior citizens voiced their grievances over the Central government discontinuing the Senior Citizen Railway travel pass scheme, which had existed for decades, for the benefit of the senior citizens.
“They highlighted various hardships they undergo following the Central government’s decision to stop this scheme, especially since today’s senior citizens have contributed immensely to the welfare and development of the country. They further express their sorrow as they have now reached an age where they are unable to provide for themselves financially and have to carefully spend their savings considering the day to day mounting expenses,” said Sharlet in the letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
