International older persons day held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 01 2014:
Social Welfare Department, Manipur, observed the International day for Older Person today at Ima Khonthokhanbi Shanglen, DM College campus.
Speaking at the occasion, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai said it is the duty of the children to care and protect their parents when they grow old and are dependent on the youngsters.
Aged people from districts all over the State attended the older person day observation today.
The Minister appealed to the younger generation to pay fitting respect to their parents, teachers and elders.
Mirabai attributed the causes of the growing indiscipline among the youth to their consumption of various intoxicants.
Social Welfare Department, however small it may seem from the outside, Mirabai said has various beneficiary schemes for citizens from birth to maturity.
The department will also come up with more beneficiary scheme for aged persons in the future.
After the Government's scheme to enable e-payment to old age pension holders and with the failure of the Government's initiative to open zero balance accounts to transfer these funds, the fund has been held back till amicable resolutions are agreed.
The department hopes to solve this issue concerning old age pension at the earliest, the Minister added.
The amount granted by the Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension to aged citizens has been raised from Rs 200 per month to Rs 400 per month.
The department has also come up with a scheme to provide a pension sum of Rs 500 per month to aged persons above 80 years of age, the Minister added.
In continuation of the programme, Mirabai presented a shawl each to aged persons who attended today's programme.
MLAs O Landhoni, Y Surchandra and Manipur State Women Commission Chairperson L Ibetombi also attended the event.