MAPUSA
Expressing concern over the presence of destitutes by the roadside and outside hospitals, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said he was confident that no Goan destitute would be found on the roadside.
Sawant also said that the government was working in a direction to ensure that after another 25 years no roadside destitute will be seen in the State.
“The happiness index of Goa is very high. I can say with 100 percent confidence that no Goan will be found as a roadside destitute in the State. The State government has been targeting the next generation to bring about a perceptible change in their approach towards family members and senior citizens,” Sawant said.
The chief minister was addressing a gathering while inaugurating a two-day national conference on issues of street dwellers organised by Jeevan Anand Sanstha in association with Saraswat Education Society at Khorlim, Mapusa.
Continuing, Sawant said it was really sad to see elderly people being left out on the roads.
“Many times, the family disowns them. They become a burden on the family. Many are aged and mentally ill. What is more worrying is that a retired military person is also found in such a situation,” he said.
The CM informed that the Institute of Public Assistance (Provedoria) looked after the aged people in the State and ran a total of 12 ashrams.
“Every taluka from Pernem to Canacona has an ashram. Besides providing food and drinks, we take care of staying and also medical care of such people. A dedicated government staff looks after the elderly in the old aged homes,” he said.
He further informed that around six to seven NGOs were working for senior citizens in the State and the government was funding such NGOs.
“I started my career through an NGO which works in the field of creating AIDS awareness among the migrants, truckers and prostitutes since 1996. I had personally conducted a survey among the migrants then. Now, I hardly get time. But my staff are still continuing working in the NGO,” he said.
