On the occasion of International Day of Older Persons on October 1, Chief Minister Raman Singh has extended greetings to all the senior and veteran citizens of state. He wished for their healthy, long and prosperous life.
Chief Minister in his message on eve of the occasion said that everyone has to the duty to resolve the problems faced by senior citizens by giving them all the due respect and feeling of being with them in the family, society and state. The blessings of elders bring prosperity and joy in the family and society.
On efforts of state government, he said that for making life of 20 lakh senior citizens comfortable, many major decisions have been taken and it is being implemented also.
The Chief Minister Pilgrimage Scheme was started in year 2012 for elders of poor families. More than 2 lakh senior citizens have undertaken the pilgrimage through trains to different pilgrim centres of country.
Under social assistance programme of Social Welfare department, pension scheme is operational. A State Council for Senior Citizens have been constituted while in each revenue division ‘Senior Citizen Care Authority’ has been formed. Under Chief Minister
Health Insurance Scheme, through the smart card, the senior citizens are provided free treatment upto Rs 80,000 annually.
Chief Minister said that for assisting the senior citizens of state, at Atal Nagar based Police Headquarters a Senior Citizen Cell, a special cell has been constituted which is having toll free number 1800-180-253 and a helpline number.
Health department has been directed to provide free treatment at government hospitals, said Raman Singh and added to provide yellow coloured card so that they do not need to stand in the queue.
Government hopes to provide positive atmosphere at their respective residence of family members but in crises, state government through different organisations are running 24 old-age homes in different districts.
District collectors would monitor these homes to ensure better care and health facilities.
Chief Minister appreciated the ‘Bapu ki Kutiya’ in capital city Raipur collectorate premises and termed it as a model for other districts.
The target is to make around 50 such set up in gardens and colonies of capital city. It would have sports facilities and television.