Assisting the senior citizens in their quest to live an organised and dignified life, a special cell has been set up under the guidance of Justice Mahesh Sonak, executive chairman of the Goa State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA).
This special cell will have its help desk in the premises of High Court of Bombay at Goa and will be manned by Para-legal volunteer and legal assistant.
The help desk would function on all week days during office hours. As far as possible, Para-legal volunteer and legal assistant will attend to the senior citizen at this help desk at the first instance, stated Vijaya Ambre, member decretary, GSLSA.
The special cell will endeavour to hold periodic legal aid clinics, medical camp and counselling sessions designed to assist the senior citizens. The cell will also assist the senior citizens in redressing pension related issues by coordinating with the concerned authorities.
The cell will also assist the senior citizens in pursuing Court matters by providing free legal aid to needy and eligible senior citizens.
It will also assist the senior citizens to avail benefits under notified schemes and programmes of the government. The cell will organise awareness programmes so that needy senior citizens are apprised of facilities and benefits available to them under government schemes and programmes. It will also assist senior citizens in forming self help groups.
The special cell committee has senior advocate Sudin Usgaonkar, chartered accountant V B Prabhu Verlekar, public prosecutor Shailendra Bhobe, Adv Jatin Ramaiya, Dr Preetam A Kalangutkar (geriatrician), Adv Ramdas Pednekar (Retired Civil cum Sub Registrar and Notary Public Ex-officio and Registrar of Firms), Adv Varun Bhandarkar, Sharang Daware (Information Technology head and field response officer of Elder Line Goa, National helpline for senior citizens by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (ministry of India) and member secretary, Goa State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA).
Senior citizens can contact on a dedicated toll free number of GSLSA - 1516 and 15100, helpline number 18002334060 (toll free) and dedicated mobile “ 09049931991 for asking assistance.
