PANAJI
Senior citizens in Goa will now be mobilised to “assert their rights and pursue remedies” by actively engaging with Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and local committees, as GOACAN rolled out the second phase of the ‘Seniors CAN’ campaign on World Elders Day, October 1.
The year-long initiative seeks to empower elderly citizens to take centre stage in civic life by participating in Gram Sabhas and key committees such as the Road Safety & Traffic Management Committee, the Village Health, Sanitation & Nutrition Committee, and the Village Development Committee responsible for preparing the Gram Panchayat Development Plan. In urban areas, GOACAN will organise bimonthly meetings of senior citizens with Municipal Council Chief Officers.
The delegations of seniors will also approach Sub-Divisional Police Officers to activate Senior Citizens' Volunteers Committees under each police station. These bodies are tasked with addressing cybercrime, noise pollution, and ensuring that beat police visit the elderly living alone.
The campaign will push for stricter implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and the Goa Rules, 2009. It will also rope in students from Consumer Welfare Clubs and Free Legal Aid Cells to spread awareness on civic and consumer rights across all 12 talukas of the State.
“The campaign is designed to secure care and wellness of senior citizens while ensuring they are active stakeholders in the decision-making process of their local bodies,” GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins said.
