Senior citizens seek dedicated welfare corporation, free bus travel in Telangana

Senior citizens and welfare associations urged the Telangana government to establish a dedicated welfare corporation, provide free bus travel and improve healthcare and financial security. Officials highlighted geriatric caregiver training, day-care centres, maintenance tribunals, helpline 14567 and old-age homes.

Hyderabad: Several senior citizens and representatives of welfare associations appealed to the State government to establish a dedicated welfare corporation for the elderly and provide free bus travel, special identity cards, improved medical facilities and financial security.

Speaking at the International Day of Older Persons programme here on Thursday, they said the elderly were guiding figures who had contributed their life experiences and wisdom to society. Respecting the elderly was the responsibility of every family and citizen, they stressed.

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SC/ST Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman said the government had decided to train 1,700 individuals in geriatric caregiving to develop a skilled workforce to care for the elderly.

According to the 2011 Census, there were 32.69 lakh elderly people out of Telangana’s total population of 3.53 crore, the Minister said. He added that 30 day-care centres had been established across the State, keeping the physical and mental well-being of the elderly in mind.

To ensure speedy resolution of issues faced by senior citizens, the process of filing cases before maintenance tribunals had been simplified. Last year, 2,505 maintenance cases were filed before these tribunals, of which 1,346 were resolved. Similarly, 234 of the 409 appeals filed before the appellate tribunal were settled.

It was also reported that of the 209 cases filed before authorities headed by District Collectors seeking transfer of property back to parents from children who had neglected them, 135 had been resolved. Similarly, 15 of the 18 appeals filed before the appellate authority had been settled.

The Minister said the toll-free helpline 14567 was available to provide emergency assistance to senior citizens. They could use the service for issues including harassment, neglect, loneliness and the need for shelter. Field-level support teams respond and provide assistance whenever necessary, he said.

He said ‘Cheyutha’ pensions played a crucial role in social security across the State, with the government providing monthly pensions of Rs 2,016 to 15.60 lakh eligible elderly persons.

Officials said old-age homes were being established in a phased manner across all 33 districts to provide safe shelter, clothing, nutritious food and basic amenities to destitute or neglected elderly persons. At present, 10 old-age homes are being managed, they said.