Kerala to Enact Landmark Law Guaranteeing Rights of Elderly, Says CM V.D. Satheesan
The Kerala government will introduce comprehensive legislation aimed at providing legal guarantees to elderly citizens, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has said. The draft Bill, prepared by the Department for Senior Citizens, will be published shortly, he added.
The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the State-level International Day of Older Persons celebrations in the State capital on Thursday. It was the first such State-level observance since the Department for Senior Citizens was constituted.
Mr. Satheesan said the mandate of the new department was not limited to social welfare. It would also work towards active ageing, the participation of older persons in different spheres of life, and the development of what he described as a silver economy.
Noting the rising number of older persons in the State, he said their skills and experience should be put to use even after retirement, for the benefit of the economy and social progress.
At the same time, he said, specialised treatment systems were needed for the oldest age group and for those who are unwell, particularly elderly persons living alone. "An end should be found to their loneliness," he said.
The government has constituted a technical advisory committee to study models followed by countries that have been dealing with the challenges of an ageing population for some years. Persons with experience in the field will be brought in as knowledge partners, and the support of research and technical institutions will also be sought.
The Chief Minister outlined several other areas of planned government intervention. These include a status survey of each elderly individual; a senior citizens' cell in every district collectorate to implement schemes; a senior citizens' vulnerability registry; a care-giving workforce drawn from those who complete a government-designed care-giving course and internship; an elderly facilitation desk in each local body; health infrastructure standards for the elderly; a neighbourhood support network on the Kudumbashree model; and intergenerational connections between the elderly and the young to draw on the former's experience and skills.
He also referred to a Dementia-friendly Keralam initiative and a round-the-clock helpline for the elderly.
At the function, Mr. Satheesan launched the logo of the new Department for Senior Citizens as well as portals related to elderly welfare. He interacted through video conferencing with elderly persons and members of the younger generation celebrating the day at Sayamprabha homes run by the department.
Minister for Health K. Muraleedharan handed over the Health department's Comprehensive Health Care Action Plan to the Chief Minister for release on the occasion.
Minister for Transport C.P. John presided over the function.
