MARGAO
Senior citizens knocked the doors of the government on International Day for Elderly People 2018 with a plea to implement the Maintenance Act in both letter and spirit and has mooted a Commission for senior citizens if the police and deputy collectors cannot handle maintenance related cases and provide succor to the elders.
With the demand raised by the senior citizens receiving backing from Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte sought to allay apprehensions by promising to resolve and rectify the problems coming in the way of the implementation of the Maintenance Act.
Speaking on the occasion at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, organised by the All Goa Senior Citizens’ Federation, the Revenue Minister assured the senior citizens that the government would remove the deficiencies and bring about improvement in the implementation of the Maintenance Act.
“The senior citizens form part of the society cycle. We are committed to resolve the issues faced by them. Their quality of life should improve,” Khaunte said. He also mooted a proposal to seek the participation of senior citizens in the villages to work for a better Goa.
Khaunte, who also holds the Information Technology portfolio, said the department will soon launch Digital Scaling in Margao, wherein senior citizens will be imparted training in operating smart phones and other devices.
In his address, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat stressed on the need for the government to come out with a clear message that it will stand by senior citizens at all costs. “The phenomenon of old age affects every human being, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Let a message come from the government that it will not allow any injustice to the senior citizens,” Kamat added.
Earlier in his welcome address, President of All Goa Senior Citizens’ Federation Diego Da Costa said the government has come out with many a welfare scheme for senior citizens. He sought the streamlining of the implementation of the Maintenance Act for the senior citizens. “The police do not invoke the provisions of the Maintenance Act and give justice to the elders. They do not treat offences against senior citizens as cognizable. Instead, they send the senior citizens to the courts to seek justice by engaging lawyers and spending money on legal fees,” Diego said.
While demanding setting up of a Senior Citizens Commission to address the issues plaguing the elders, Diego urged the government to constitute a committee to take a review of the implementation of the Maintenance Act and Rules.
