This refers to the editorial, “Society of ungratefulsIJ” (June 16). There are two types of elders in our country. One who retain control over the means of livelihood in old age — for example, traders and farmers. Here, the management and fieldwork passes to the younger generation. Yet, they maintain the property rights and perform supervisory functions. Thus, they reserve the right to pocket a share of earnings. In the second category come the salaried people whose means of livelihood are taken away at a certain age. So the scheme of pension is meant for them. For political gains, elected Governments have universalised the pension scheme.
The Government should restore the old pension scheme for Government employees and also sanction pension for those serving either in Government or in private sectors, who are not availing it yet. The Government pensioners are also entitled for medical reimbursement which they get after making several rounds at various places. After 70 years of age, this task of making rounds becomes physically tedious and they have to meet the expenses from their petty pension amount. Elders need physical support of the younger generation, which they remain deprived of, because either they have no children or their children being at far off places. The government should maintain disability houses.