Govt dragging feet on 1.50cr senior citizens’ benefits

Three years after designating people aged 60 years or above as senior citizens, the government is dilly-dallying in extending social dignity, security and other facilities to about 1.50 crore such elderly citizens.

The social welfare ministry says that it is preparing a new law titled "Foundation for the Development of Older Person

Act" to ensure facilities such as food,

clothing, communication and treatment for them.

On November 27, 2014, President Md Abdul Hamid declared people aged 60 years or above as senior citizens in the country.

Before the declaration, the government had passed the Parents Maintenance Act 2013 to ensure social security for senior citizens to legally bind children to take good care of their parents. It had also decided to issue identity cards (ID) to senior citizens.

Later, the authorities changed their mind, saying Smart ID cards were enough to identify senior citizens.

The state minister for social welfare, Nuruzzaman Ahmed, told The Independent that they took initiatives to provide various facilities to senior citizens.

“We've taken some projects to help ensure facilities including food, clothing, communication and treatment for them,” he said.

Probin Hitoishi Sangha secretray general Dr ASM Atiqur Rahman told this correspondent that the government was going to form a "Probin Unnayan Foundation (elders’ development foundation)", to be headed by a director general (DG), by enacting the "Foundation for the Development of Older Person Act".

“The authorities concerned have already prepared a draft of the proposed law, and it would be placed at a Cabinet meeting soon,” he said.

“Housing facilities, transport, medical care and other facilities would be provided under the proposed law. Both government and non-government organisations will provide such facilities by taking up projects for senior citizens,” he added.

On November 17, 2013, the Cabinet had approved the National Policy on Older Persons, thereby recognising the elderly as senior citizens.

Sources in the social welfare ministry say there are 1.50 crore elderly people in the country and the number would reach 1.8 crore by 2025 and 4 crore by 2050.

Elderly people would soon constitute 20 per cent of the country’s total population, and taking care of them would pose the biggest social, economic and healthcare challenges in the future. Old age allowance was introduced in the 1997–98 fiscal year, and the number of people getting such allowance has increased to 2,722,000 from only 400,000.

The government has also enacted the “Feeding and Lodging to Parents Act, 2013”, making it obligatory for children to ensure food and accommodation for their parents. Moreover, the children will have to pay 10 per cent of their total income regularly to their parents if they do not live with them.

Furthermore, under no circumstances are the children allowed to send their parents to old-age homes against their wishes.

IK

Govt dragging feet on 1.50cr senior citizens benefits

Three years after designating people aged 60 years or above as senior citizens, the government is dilly-dallying in extending social dignity, security and other facilities to about 1.50 crore such elderly citizens. The social welfare ministry says that it is preparing a new law titled Foundation for the Development of Older Person Act to ensure facilities such as food, clothing, communication and treatment for them. On November 27, 2014, President Md Abdul Hamid declared people aged 60 years or above as senior citizens in the country. Before the declaration, the government had passed the Parents Maintenance Act 2013 to ensure social security for senior citizens to legally bind children to take good care of their parents. It had also decided to issue identity cards (ID) to senior citizens. Later, the authorities changed their mind, saying Smart ID cards were enough to identify senior citizens. The state minister for social welfare, Nuruzzaman Ahmed, told The Independent that they took initiatives to provide various facilities to senior citizens. Weve taken some projects to help ensure facilities including food, clothing, communication and treatment for them, he said. Probin Hitoishi Sangha secretray general Dr ASM Atiqur Rahman told this correspondent that the government was going to form a Probin Unnayan Foundation (elders development foundation), to be headed by a director general (DG), by enacting the Foundation for the Development of Older Person Act. The authorities concerned have already prepared a draft of the proposed law, and it would be placed at a Cabinet meeting soon, he said. Housing facilities, transport, medical care and other facilities would be provided under the proposed law. Both government and non-government organisations will provide such facilities by taking up projects for senior citizens, he added. On November 17, 2013, the Cabinet had approved the National Policy on Older Persons, thereby recognising the elderly as senior citizens. Sources in the social welfare ministry say there are 1.50 crore elderly people in the country and the number would reach 1.8 crore by 2025 and 4 crore by 2050. Elderly people would soon constitute 20 per cent of the countrys total population, and taking care of them would pose the biggest social, economic and healthcare challenges in the future. Old age allowance was introduced in the 199798 fiscal year, and the number of people getting such allowance has increased to 2,722,000 from only 400,000. The government has also enacted the Feeding and Lodging to Parents Act, 2013, making it obligatory for children to ensure food and accommodation for their parents. Moreover, the children will have to pay 10 per cent of their total income regularly to their parents if they do not live with them. Furthermore, under no circumstances are the children allowed to send their parents to old-age homes against their wishes. IK