Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) will launch its Senior Citizens Rights Awareness Campaign to help in implementation of the Act pertaining to them.
The year-long campaign will focus on the implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and Goa Rules 2009.
Announcing the campaign, GOACAN co-ordinator Roland Martins said volunteers would reach out with information to senior citizens encouraging them to make identity cards with the Department of Social Welfare, using of reserved seats in public transport, seeking consumer education and help them assert their rights to safety.
“Special emphasis will also be put on the avenues available for redressal of grievances at the village and taluka level,” he said.
Volunteers will also highlight senior citizen issues at gram sabha meetings and with candidates for the upcoming municipal elections.
Adequate representation in all Planning and Development Committees, comprehensive health and recreation facilities, availability of adequate toilets in all markets and bus stands and the establishment of Day Care Centres in all panchayats and municipal councils under the UMMID Scheme of the Department of Social Welfare are some of the other issues that will be raised.
GOACAN will then submit suggestions for action by the District Committees of Senior Citizens. This, Martins said, will be done to address the United Nations theme for 2015 based on “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment”.
GOACAN said they would also promote the use of the senior citizens helpline 1090 and highlight the salient points of the action plan for the protection of life and property of senior citizens by Goa Police.
