A special cell to look into the grievances of senior citizens of Chandigarh has been constituted by the UT Administration.
The cell will look into the grievances of senior citizens regarding threat to their life and property which has been protected under Section 22(2) of the under Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The cell is set up under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner and Director Social Welfare, SDM(C), SDM(S), SDM(E), DSP as ex-officio members and seven NGOs and social workers as non-official members. The Administration has also designated the Women and Child helpline as helpline for the senior citizens.
This helpline would be functional 24 x 7. Additional posts of 2 counselors and 2 team mates have been provided for this helpline and this helpline will provide counseling services to the senior citizens specifically, informed a spokesperson of the UT Administration. The counselors may refer the cases of senior citizens to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 here and State legal Services Authority for medical aid/legal services in case of emergency.
The Chandigarh Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes & Minorities Financial & Development Corporation will be the overall incharge for providing counseling services to the senior citizens. State legal Services Authority will also provide free legal aid to the senior citizens immediately, if required. The spokesperson added that the services of a legal-cum-probation officer appointed in union territory Child Protection Society for legal aid, may also be utilized for providing legal aid to senior citizens in convergence.