Delhi Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh on Wednesday announced new schemes focused on mental health, recreation, pensions and assistive support for older people on the International Day of Older Persons. He said the government is working consistently to ensure dignity, security and a fulfilling life for senior citizens. Speaking at a programme in Bawana, the minister said recreation centres will be developed across the city to support better mental health.
The Government has earmarked `20 crore for the project, which will also expand counselling services in old-age homes. Post-retirement counselling, he added, will be strengthened so that senior citizens can adapt to new phases of life.
Under the ongoing Sewa Pakhwada initiative, Singh said 50,000 new pension vacancies have been created for senior citizens in the capital. “The Government is committed to ensuring that all eligible elderly citizens receive their pensions without hassle,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the inauguration of the Savitribai Phule Old Age Home in Paschim Vihar. The new facility will house 96 residents and provide modern, secure living arrangements. As part of the outreach, senior citizens were distributed assistive devices worth around `8 lakh. These included wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, spectacles, and medical support items such as spinal belts and cervical collars.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed departments to ensure that every government scheme reaches elderly citizens without procedural delays. “The priority is that no senior citizen faces any difficulty in accessing benefits,” the minister said, citing the CM’s instructions.
Singh urged senior citizens to inform the department if they require any specific assistive device. “Whether it is wheel-bearer commodes, silicon foam pillows, knee presses or other health-support kits, the Government will provide them free of cost to those in need,” he said.
The minister underlined that the Government’s approach goes beyond financial and medical support. “Our effort is not just to provide facilities but to ensure dignity and security. Society progresses only with the blessings of senior citizens,” he said.
He appealed to families and communities to show full respect and care to the elderly. “The Government can provide schemes and facilities, but the role of society is equally important. Ensuring that their lives remain happy and dignified is our collective responsibility,” he added.