In a rare instance in parliamentary history, the Government on Friday agreed to implement the contents of a Private Member’s Bill for the welfare of senior citizens and announced that it would soon come out with a health policy for the persons above 75 years of age. Replying to the Bill mooted by BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, Health Minister JP Nadda told the lok Sabha that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already directed to formulate a health policy for persons above 75 years and his Ministry would soon come out with it.
Unlike the other Private Members’ Bills, the legislation mooted by Mahtab was patiently heard by law Minister Sadananda Gowda and MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla. The over two-hour-long debate on the issue was supported by all MPs cutting across the political lines. At one point, Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai, presiding the debate, was seen giving suggestions to Ministers on implementing welfare schemes for the senior citizens.
Initiating the Bill titled ‘Senior Citizens’ (Provisions of Geriatric and Dementia Care) Bill 2014’, Mahtab pointed out that more than 10 crore people belonging to senior citizens category in India literally lack specific health care. Detailing the suggestions for the welfare of aged persons, he appealed to the House as well as the Government to concentrate on the matter. Several members supporting Mahtab pointed out that the Governments lacked attention on the matter. Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Satya Pal Singh and CR Chaudhary and CPI(M) MPs P Karunanakaran and PK Sreemathi participated in the debate.
Detailing the Government’s plans to increase the geriatric clinics and facilities in the hospitals across the country, Health Minister Nadda requested Mahtab to withdraw the Bill. “The Government is agreeing to the contents of the Bill. We will implement it and soon come out with a policy for the health related issues of persons above 75 years,” he said. “Tell me sincerely. Will you implement the provisionsIJ I am happy and obliged,” said Mahtab declaring his intention to withdraw the Bill.