Help desks set up for sr citizens: Minister

Haryana Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Kumar Bedi on Wednesday said help desks had been set up for senior citizens in all district secretariats and concession of 50 per cent was being given to them on bus fare of Haryana roadways buses.

He said with a view to facilitate elderly persons in the State, Haryana Government was giving old age allowance of `1,600 to over 14.50 lakh senior citizens with an increase of `200 every year. 

The Minister was speaking after releasing booklet of Helping Elderly on the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, published by HelpAge India, here.

On the occasion, he also directed the Police Department to identify senior citizens in their respective areas and give this information to the government. Many awards are being given on the International Day for Older Persons to those who have done pioneering work for the welfare of older persons, he said.

Bedi said Appellate Tribunal has been set up for the establishment of senior citizen clubs and NGOs. 

He added HelpAge India had provided a report on ‘How India behaves with its senior citizens’ based on direct dialogue with 4,615 senior citizens of 18 cities of the country.