MARGAO
Expressing concerning over the spurt in cases of harassment of the elderly by their wards, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said the government is committed to set in place a mechanism on the lines of commissions to mete out justice for the beleaguered senior citizens.
Speaking at the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana programme at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Saturday to distribute assisted living devises to senior citizens belonging to the BPL category, the Chief Minister was approache
d by certain quarters to set up a Commission on the lines of the Disability Commission to mete out justice for the senior citizens in distress.
"My government has taken up the issue very seriously. My Social Welfare Minister Pandurang Madkaikar has carried out a study on the issue and the government is now toying up with a proposal to set in place a mechanism on the lines of a Commission to give justice for the senior citizens," Parrikar said.
Stating that the government is committed to protect the interest of the senior citizens, Parrikar, however, said he personally favours that the best forum to look after the elderly and the aged is the family. "I am aware that human and family values have shown a sharp decline vis-à-vis senior citizens due to various factors. Still, I am of the opinion that the interest of the senior citizens and the elderly can be best safeguarded in the family," he said.
In his address, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Ghelot said around 30,000 people from across the country have so far benefitted from the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana scheme launched at the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Today, around 1407 beneficiaries from South Goa will get benefit of various aids, including wheel chairs, walking sticks, glasses, dentures. A similar function has been planned in North Goa on Sunday," he said, while complimenting the State government for coming out with the DSSS scheme, wherein the government pays Rs 2,000 to each of the elderly beneficiaries.
Stating that the government has also come out with a scheme for the deaf and dumb, Ghelot said two children from Goa had benefited out of the scheme when they were operated at cost of Rs 6 lakh each.
Social Welfare Minister Pandurang Madkaikar said the government is committed to look after the interests of the elderly and the disabled, saying the government will soon strengthen the South Goa office of the Social Welfare department with a dedicated deputy director to expedite the cases of the disabled.
South Goa MP, Narendra Sawaikar, in his brief address, said the distribution of the aids and appliances to the beneficiaries under the Rashtriya Vayoshri scheme is not a one time event, while asking the people to come forward and avail benefits of the scheme.
Incidentally, impressed over the welcome song presented by the students of St Mary's High School, Chinchinim and Fatima Convent High School, Margao, Union Minister Ghelot handed over cheques of Rs 5,000 each to the students on the occasion.
"My government has taken up the issue very seriously. My Social Welfare Minister Pandurang Madkaikar has carried out a study on the issue and the government is now toying up with a proposal to set in place a mechanism on the lines of a Commission to give justice for the senior citizens," Parrikar said.
Stating that the government is committed to protect the interest of the senior citizens, Parrikar, however, said he personally favours that the best forum to look after the elderly and the aged is the family. "I am aware that human and family values have shown a sharp decline vis-à-vis senior citizens due to various factors. Still, I am of the opinion that the interest of the senior citizens and the elderly can be best safeguarded in the family," he said.
In his address, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Ghelot said around 30,000 people from across the country have so far benefitted from the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana scheme launched at the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Today, around 1407 beneficiaries from South Goa will get benefit of various aids, including wheel chairs, walking sticks, glasses, dentures. A similar function has been planned in North Goa on Sunday," he said, while complimenting the State government for coming out with the DSSS scheme, wherein the government pays Rs 2,000 to each of the elderly beneficiaries.
Stating that the government has also come out with a scheme for the deaf and dumb, Ghelot said two children from Goa had benefited out of the scheme when they were operated at cost of Rs 6 lakh each.
Social Welfare Minister Pandurang Madkaikar said the government is committed to look after the interests of the elderly and the disabled, saying the government will soon strengthen the South Goa office of the Social Welfare department with a dedicated deputy director to expedite the cases of the disabled.
South Goa MP, Narendra Sawaikar, in his brief address, said the distribution of the aids and appliances to the beneficiaries under the Rashtriya Vayoshri scheme is not a one time event, while asking the people to come forward and avail benefits of the scheme.
Incidentally, impressed over the welcome song presented by the students of St Mary's High School, Chinchinim and Fatima Convent High School, Margao, Union Minister Ghelot handed over cheques of Rs 5,000 each to the students on the occasion.
