Take care of parents or face legal action, warns CM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 01 2022:
Chief minister N Biren Singh has warned of taking up legal action against people who force their parents to stay at old age home while opining that there should be no issue if elderly people opt for such facilities if there is no one to look after them.
The chief minister also appealed to those who keep their parents at old age homes to take back their parents and take good care of them and assured of extending necessary assistance from the side of the government.
CM Biren blended the warning cum appeal while addressing the gathering at the observance of International Day of Older Persons, 2022 held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, here, on Saturday.
Speaking as the chief guest, CM Biren noted with regret that instances of keeping aged parents forcibly at old age homes have increased significantly in the state nowadays and such culture will only lead to regression of the state and hinder development.
He said that a stringent Act suitable to Manipur is required to deal with those who misbehave with their parents past their prime and force them to stay at old age homes.
Moreover, senior citizens staying at old age homes should be given respect and taken good care, Biren iterated while stating that any act tantamount to making them feel insecure can be termed as a crime against humanity.
The chief minister maintained that both the Central and the state governments had taken up various schemes for the welfare of older people and the state government is in the process of increasing the pension amount under Manipur Old Age Pension Scheme (MOAPS) and Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension (IG-NOAP) from Rs 200 per month to Rs 1000 per month for beneficiaries who are 80 years of age and above.
Around 25,000 elderly people will be benefited under the schemes for which the government is spending about Rs 20 crore annually, he said.
While informing that 16,000 additional senior citizens have been provided old age pensions under MOAPS during the current financial year, CM Biren continued that state government has also introduced 'Chief Minister's Widow Pension Scheme' under which 10,000 widows are receiving pension amount of Rs 500 per month.
He also said that the amount of Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 500 per month by contributing state's Top-Up of Rs 200 per month.
The observance function organised by Social Welfare Department was also attended by social welfare minister H Dingo, health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan and additional chief secretary (social welfare) P Vaiphei.
In his address at the event, Dr Ranjan stated that elderly people are the ones who are treasure trove of land's cultures and pass the tradition to the younger generation since time immemorial thereby helping in preservation of native culture.
He continued that the state government under the supervision of chief minister Biren has been taking up necessary measures to take special care of older people in the state.
Social welfare minister Heikham Dingo said that October 1 is observed as International Day of Older Persons every year to give respect to elders who had done everything for their younger generations and the society.
Older people should be given respect and taken good care and the same thing should be made known to young generations, he said and disclosed that Social Welfare Department will set up a special cell to look into matters related to inhuman treatment of elderly people.
He then appealed to public to raise complaint to the department if anyone happens to come across act of misbehaviour or ill-treatment against elderly people.
During the event, the chief minister felicitated well known singer Konthoujam Bobin for his contribution in Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan campaign and few selected elderly people and took their blessings.
The event was also attended by director (social welfare) Ng Uttam and elderly people from different parts of the state.