CHANDIGARH: Under the effective leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is continuously working for the welfare of every section of the state. Taking a step forward in the same direction, Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur held a meeting of the Raj Parishad constituted under Senior Citizens Rules 2012, Rule 24 of the Care and Welfare of Parents and Elderly today at Punjab Civil Secretariat-1, Sector-1 in Chandigarh.
Speaking about this, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that a detailed discussion was held with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Information and Public Relations, and Department of Home Affairs and Justice regarding various demands of senior citizens. The Minister stated that the main demands of the senior citizens are to increase the old-age pension for senior citizens, considering inflation, to open old-age homes in every district of the state of Punjab, to provide free health services for the elderly in government health institutions, to ensure the welfare of parents and the elderly and to fully implement The Care 2007 Act in the state of Punjab. Additionally, the implementation of the Protection of Life and Property Act, spreading awareness about Government rules for elderly care among Government offices, society and families, creating a separate directorate for senior citizens, and addressing the demands for formulating a state policy for elderly welfare and establishing a helpline number (14567) for senior citizens were discussed.
Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that the elderly are our valuable capital, and it is our moral responsibility to take care of them. The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continuously working for their welfare.
During the meeting, the minister assured the association's representatives that their legitimate demands would be addressed by corresponding with the concerned departments.
On this Occasion, Special Chief Secretary of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Mrs. Raji P. Shrivastava, Director of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, Mrs. Madhvi Kataria, Director of Information and Public Relations Department, S. Bhupinder Singh, Additional Director of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, S. Charanjit Singh and Deputy Director of Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr. Daljit Singh were present.