Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held an urgent meeting with senior citizen groups on Monday, July 29 at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai. The goal was to learn about their concerns and demands. The CM asked the chief secretary to draft guidelines for the implementation of the 2018 State Policy for Senior Citizens.
Shinde assured the groups about the special measures the state government would take. He announced the creation of a dedicated Elderly Welfare Corporation. This new body will supervise all programmes related to senior care.
ज्येष्ठ नागरिकांची काळजी घेणे हे शासनाचे कर्तव्य असून याच भूमिकेतून आमचे काम सुरु आहे. येत्या काळात ज्येष्ठांसाठीच्या कल्याणकारी योजनांची प्रभावी अंमलबजावणी होण्यासाठी #कर्तव्यअभियान राबविण्याचे निर्देश मुख्यमंत्री @mieknathshinde यांनी आज दिले.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) July 29, 2024
ज्येष्ठ नागरिक धोरणाचा… pic.twitter.com/PqnH80MyFE
The CM promised a dedicated senior section in government hospitals. He also assured assistance for assisted living facilities and adult immunisations. The formation of elder self-help groups, a dedicated senior assistance desk at police stations, and the establishment of a senior citizens commission were some other promises.
Shinde said the state government would write to the GST Council. They will request the removal of the 18% GST subsidy. They will also write to the union government to request the restoration of senior rail concessions.
Future plans include the establishment of recreation centres in each municipal area. This will help with disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's. The construction of senior self-help groups will be done with the assistance of non-governmental organisations.
Shinde suggested a pilot programme for influenza and pneumonia immunisation in Mumbai. He intends to expand this effort statewide. He also plans to launch "Hospital on Wheels". This programme will deliver medical care to older citizens' homes.
The meeting included state departments and active senior citizen welfare groups. The meeting lasted nearly two hours. It included eleven senior citizens' welfare groups and nineteen government agencies. The chief minister listened to their demands.
Key officials present at the meeting included Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, Social Justice Secretary Sumanth Bhange, Industry Minister Uday Samant, Cleanliness and Water Supply Minister Gulabrao Patil, Public Works Minister Dada Bhuse, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretaries Rajesh Kumar and Sanjay Sethi, UNFPA's Anuja Gulati, and Vice President of the All India Senior Citizens Association Amit Tekale.
Many senior citizen organisations have been advocating for the welfare of the elderly. They want to improve their quality of life after retirement. They have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the recent union budget. They claimed it neglected to offer assistance to older residents.
Before the Lok Sabha elections, these groups drafted a manifesto outlining their demands. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met with NITI Aayog. He emphasised the need to prepare policies for elderly people. He requested that states ensure these policies are implemented at the state level.
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