Old-age homes to be established in all districts in Telangana: Laxman Kumar
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Ministers Adluri Laxman Kumar and Ponnam Prabhakar and others attending a programme organised by the State PWD Department to mark the International Day of Older Persons at Ravindra Bharathi, in Hyderabad, on Thursday. | Photo Credit: G RAMAKRISHNA
The State government is establishing old-age homes in a phased manner in all 33 districts to provide shelter, food, clothing and basic amenities to elderly persons who lack adequate family support, said Social Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar on Thursday.
Speaking at a State-level programme organised in Ravindra Bharathi to mark the International Day of Older Persons, Mr. Laxman Kumar said 10 old-age homes were currently functioning in the State.
He directed officials to take steps to designate a special officer in every district to address the grievances of senior citizens.
The Minister said the government was taking measures to encourage children to take responsibility for the care and maintenance of their parents and strengthen the financial security of senior citizens. As part of efforts to promote their physical and mental well-being, 30 day-care centres had been established across the State.
The procedure for filing cases before maintenance tribunals had also been simplified to ensure speedy disposal of cases involving senior citizens. During the previous year, 2,505 maintenance cases were filed before the tribunals, of which 1,346 were disposed of. Of the 409 appeals filed before appellate tribunals, 234 were disposed of, he said.
In cases seeking restoration of property transferred by parents to their children who subsequently neglected them, 209 cases were filed before authorities headed by the respective Collectors, with 135 disposed of. At the appellate level, 18 appeals were filed and 15 were disposed of, Mr. Laxman Kumar said.
The toll-free 14567 Elderline provides assistance to senior citizens facing emergencies, harassment, neglect, loneliness or requiring shelter. Field-level response teams intervene and provide support wherever necessary, he said.
Representatives of senior citizens’ welfare organisations and elderly persons sought the establishment of a dedicated welfare corporation for senior citizens, free bus travel, special identity cards, improved healthcare facilities and stronger financial and social security measures.
The speakers said senior citizens had made significant contributions to society through their experience and knowledge and that their care and dignity were a collective responsibility of the government, families and society.
The Ministers felicitated several persons for their contribution to the welfare and service of senior citizens.
Social Welfare Department Secretary Vijendra Boyi, Director of Welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Sarveshwar Reddy, senior officials and representatives of senior citizens’ welfare organisations attended the programme.
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