Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday hailed senior citizens who have not availed of their pension despite being eligible and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to interact with them. He said this collective sacrifice contributes to redirecting funds for the welfare of others, emphasizing the selfless strength of individuals like them, which is integral to the strength of the country and society.

Khattar interacted with senior citizens receiving old age allowance through audio conferencing as part of the ‘CM Ki Vishesh Charcha’ programme and announced the state government's decision to increase the old age pension amount to Rs 3,000 from January 1, 2024. 

In Haryana, 40,000 eligible senior citizens above the age of 60 have voluntarily refused the pension, resulting in an annual savings of approximately Rs 100 crore. The surplus funds will be directed towards service homes under the 'Senior Citizen Seva Ashram' scheme across 22 districts, facilitating their construction and care arrangements.

The CM acknowledged the sacrifice made by these senior citizens and highlighted that the present monthly pension in the state for those aged 60 and above, with an annual income below Rs 3 lakh, is Rs. 2,750. 

During an interactive session, Khattar highlighted the 'Prahari' scheme, introduced in this financial year to safeguard the well-being of elderly individuals above 80 years of age. Data from the state's family identity card revealed that there are 3,30,000 elderly individuals above 80, of whom 3,600 live alone.  Under the 'Prahari' scheme, retired government employees will personally visit these elderly individuals to assess their well-being. If any elderly person requires medical assistance, property protection, or any other form of support, the government department concerned will be notified to provide prompt assistance.

Khattar said that the state government would care for elderly individuals living alone in Seva Ashrams under the 'Senior Citizens Seva Ashram' scheme. One such ashram has been established in Rewari, and another is under construction in Karnal. Additionally, land has been identified for these ashrams in 14 districts. The Chief Minister mentioned that the Red Cross Society operates a service for senior citizens in Panipat, while the Ambalav Old Age Home is located in Panchkula. The Shri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board in Panchkula also runs an Old Age Home. Furthermore, Old Age Homes are operational in 13 districts of the state, including Bhiwani, Gurugram, Hisar, Jind, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Panchkula, Rohtak, Rewari, Sirsa, Yamunanagar, Jhajjar, and Bahadurgarh. Additionally, 14 day-care centers are functioning. He informed that retired government employees can join the Prahari Yojana by dialing 112.

Haryana CM Inaugurates Nari Niketan with Modern Facilities

In another function, the Chief Minister inaugurated the building of the Government North Defense Home on Saturday, constructed at a cost of Rs 6.54 crore under the Smart City initiative in Karnal. During this, he said that several buildings are being constructed under the Smart City project on 6 acres of this area. Khattar said that the newly inaugurated Nari Niketan was established to provide shelter to helpless women, and plans are underway for the construction of a working women's hostel on the same premises.

The Government North Defense Home (Nari Niketan), Karnal, is a four-story building, covering 2142.40 square meters and features various facilities, including consultation rooms, dormitories, a dining room, a kitchen, library, classrooms, a computer lab, training room, recreation room, and paramedical facilities for the treatment of physically and mentally challenged women. Additionally, the building is equipped with office spaces, a visitor room, a store room, ladies' toilets, and other amenities for the office staff.

Established in 1982, the Government North Defense Home (Nari Niketan) Karnal stands as the sole Nari Niketan institution in Haryana, situated in Karnal. Focused on destitute women aged 18 and above, the organization facilitates admission through either court orders or administrative directives. Devoted to societal reintegration, the institution employs counseling, home location efforts, and collaboration with other states and districts to bring missing or abandoned women to the facility. The reunification of these women with their families is a primary objective. 

Presently, the institution houses 25 women and girls, including four from Bangladesh. Two women with mental illnesses have been admitted on court orders. Nine women are disabled and two women have been placed under court orders for security reasons, and six missing women are residing there.